Effects of low-power laser irradiation on survival of random skin flap in rats

This research was designed to study the effects of low-power helium-neon (He-Ne) laser irradiation on random skin flap survival in rat. Fifty 50 male rats were randomly divided into five groups. On the dorsum of each rat, one full thickness random skin flap which contained no specific vessel was elevated. Groups 1 to 4 were exposed to different models of a low-power He-Ne laser. Group 5 rats received no laser treatment and were considered as the control group. The energy density of the He-Ne laser used was 0.2 J/cm2. Immediately after surgery and at day 7, the surface area of all flaps was determined. Histological and tensiometrical studies on the surviving part of the flaps were also performed. The data obtained were analyzed by ANOVA. The results showed a significant difference in the surface area of survival parts of flaps and density of blood vessels on day 7 between group 3 rats and the other groups (P=0.0188, P=0.0455). Low-power He-Ne laser irradiation of flaps without recognized blood vessels in rats, reduced vasospasm, produced vasodilation, and caused a significant increase in the surviving surface area. © Springer-Verlag 2004.