TITLE:
Low-Level Laser Therapy versus Four Layers Compression Technique in the Treatment of Venous Ulcers
AUTHORS:
Medhat El-Laboudy, Ayman M. Samir, Ahmad M. Tawfik, Waleed A. Sorour, Adel M. Tolba
KEYWORDS:
Venous Ulcer, Low-Level Laser, Four Layers Compression
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.5 No.9,
September
29,
2014
ABSTRACT: Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate
the effect of low-level laser therapy in comparison to compression bandage
therapy in the treatment of venous ulcers. Subjects & Methods: This study
was carried out in the period from March 2013 to March 2014. The study included
40 adult patients with a diagnosis of venous ulcer classified as C6 according
to the clinical classification of CEAP classification. The patients were
divided into 2 groups: the first one included 20 patients treated by low-level
laser therapy at the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation department, and the second
group included 20 patients in whom we use four layers compression bandaging at
the vascular surgery department. Results: 32 ulcers were treated in group I and
35 ulcers were treated in group II. The patients of group I were 7 (35%)
females and 13 (65%) males, their age range were (24 - 56) years. The patients
of group II were 11 (55%) males and 9 (45%) females; their age ranges were (32
- 50) years. Measurements of the ulcers size by (cm2) were taken at the
beginning of therapy, at 1 month, at 2 months and at 3 months later on. The
calculation of the area of the ulcer was done by using the graph papers to
document the ulcer’s perpendicular linear dimensions. According to the size of
the ulcer, some ulcers heal within 1 month (15.6%) ulcers in group I, and
(28.5%) in group II. Some ulcers heal within 2 months (28%) in group I, and
(37%) in group II. The remaining ulcers heal within 3 months or more which are
(56%) ulcers in group I, and (34.2%) ulcers in group II. The recurrence rate of
chronic venous leg ulcer in compression bandage technique used in group II was
the least one as the total number of recurrent cases were 5 (25%), followed by
laser therapy used in group I. Conclusion: There was no significant efficacy of
the low-level laser therapy over the four layers compression technique in the
management of chronic venous ulcers.