Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Donor Site Burn Wound Healing in Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction

Severe burns require skin transplantation, although donor site problems are common. Low-level laser therapy can lessen these problems by accelerating the donor site's healing process. In children having skin transplant surgeries for burn injuries, the study evaluated the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in promoting faster healing of donor areas.

Methods

Forty children aged five to sixteen with third-degree burns covering 20% to 35% of their total body surface area (TBSA) took part in the study. Each child underwent split-thick skin grafting (STSG) using the thigh as the donor site. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: one received a placebo laser treatment for three weeks, and the other received low-level laser therapy three times weekly. All subjects were given standard wound care. Donor site healing was monitored on days 1, 11, and 21 post-operations by measuring the wound surface area with J Image software and photographs.

Results

Forty children participated in the study, with an equal number of males and females split into two groups of twenty each. With no statistically significant age difference, the treatment group average age was 11.15±3.03 years, whereas the placebo group was 9.9±3.42 years. However, there was a significant difference (t=-5.5, P<0.001) between the treatment group and the placebo group, as the treatment group's baseline TBSA value was significantly lower (80.04±12.81) than the placebo group's (99.8±9.7).

Conclusion

Despite baseline variances, considerable statistical differences indicate that low-level laser therapy considerably enhances donor site healing in pediatric burn patients.