Application of photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, and a cellulose membrane for calcaneal pressure ulcer treatment in a diabetic patient: A case report

• Published in: Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy Vol. 19; pp. 235 - 238
• Main Authors: Rosa, Luciano Pereira, da Silva, Francine Cristina, Vieira, Regiane Lima, Tanajura, Beatriz Rocha, da Silva Gusmão, Alana Gonçalves, de Oliveira, Janeide Muritiba, dos Santos, Nathalia Aparecida Campanário, Bagnato, Vanderlei Salvador
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-09-2017
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Combined Modality Therapy; Curcumin; Curcumin - therapeutic use; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetic Foot - therapy; Female; Heel; Humans; LED; Low-level laser therapy; Low-Level Light Therapy - methods; Photochemotherapy - methods; Photodynamic therapy; Photosensitizing Agents - therapeutic use; Pressure ulcer; Pressure Ulcer - drug therapy; Pressure Ulcer - radiotherapy; Pressure Ulcer - therapy; Wound Healing; Low-level laser therapy; Curcumin; LED; Photodynamic therapy; Pressure ulcer; Diabetes mellitus
• ISSN: 1572-1000; 1873-1597
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2017.06.011

•Photodynamic therapy mediated with curcumin and blue led was effective to eliminate pressure ulcer contamination.•Low level laser therapy promote the healing of calcaneal pressure ulcer in a diabetic patient in a short time of treatment.•The combination of the techniques significantly improve de wound healing of patient.
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which a person has high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production by the pancreas. Wounds in these individuals cannot heal properly over time due to circulatory changes that hinder and stagnate the healing process. We report the case of an 82-year-old female type 2 diabetes mellitus carrier, presenting to clinical-dermatological examination pressure ulcer (PU) in the right calcaneus region. The patient was treated with photodynamic therapy using curcumin and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser therapy, and the application of a cellulose membrane in order to promote ulcer decontamination by local action, accelerate wound healing, and maintain favorable conditions of asepsis and moisture, respectively. The ulcer healing occurred after 30days of treatment and total epithelialization was observed. From the results obtained in this case report, we conclude that the combination of photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, and coating with a cellulose membrane is a promising treatment for the healing of PU in diabetic patients.