Photobiomodulation on Full-Thickness Skin Graft Survival in Rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the photobiomodulation effects on the receptor area for full-thickness skin graft integration.MethodsThirty-Six Wistar rats were divided: red laser (660 nm), infrared laser (808 nm), and control. A skin segment with 5 x 3 cm was removed. In the control, the skin was reallocated after a 180 degrees rotation. For the 660 nm and 808 nm, the receptor area was first irradiated, and then the skin was reallocated the same as the control. Euthanasia occurred on the third and seventh days after the procedure, and macroscopical of necrosis and histological analysis were realized.ResultsThe 660 nm reached the lowest necrosis percentage on Day 7. In the 808 nm, necrosis increased between the two periods. Similar morphological findings were observed for the control and 660 nm; however, the 808 nm showed significant alterations in fibrosis and inflammatory infiltrate.ConclusionThe infrared wavelength showed inferior performance on skin graft integration compared to the control and the red wavelength. This study presents the first experimental protocol of laser photobiomodulation to treat the skin graft receptor area. The red and infrared wavelengths were compared using the same parameters, and red wavelength showed more promising results for further studies on this topic.image