Evaluating the Effect of Low Power Diode Laser 806 nm on the Healing of Unilateral Cleft Lip Scar: An Open-Label Comparative Study

• Published in: The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal Vol. 60; no. 1; pp. 21 - 26
• Main Authors: Abdul Mohsen, Mariam, El Husseiny Saafan, Ali Mohamed, El-Basiouny, Mahmoud S., ElTagy, Gamal Hassan, ElBarbary, Mennat-Allah Magdy, Ragab, Moutaz, Emara, Dawlat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-01-2023; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Birth defects; Cleft Lip - radiotherapy; Cleft Lip - surgery; Comparative studies; Humans; Lasers; Lasers, Semiconductor - therapeutic use; Patients; Scars; Surgery; Scar healing; laser bio-modulation irradiation therapy; Cleft lip
• ISSN: 1055-6656; 1545-1569
• DOI: 10.1177/10556656211053536

Objective
To investigate the effect of laser bio-modulation irradiation therapy on the scar after surgical correction of unilateral cleft lip.
Design
a comparative, open-label study.
Setting
we conducted the study in a university based tertiary hospital that recruited early wound healers of unilateral cleft lip correction.
Patients
Eighty patients were divided into two groups: In study's group, patients undergo laser bio-modulation irradiation (n = 60); in the control group, patients were followed-up without intervention (n = 20).
Intervention
In the study's group, patients underwent low-power diode Laser with wavelength of 806 nm and power of 100 mw.
Main outcome
The change in the scar of cleft lip patients, which was assessed by clinical examination and ultrasound.
Results
The median pigmentation score was significantly lower in the laser group (median = 1; IQR = 1–2) than the control group (median 2; IQR 1–3), with p-value of <0.001. Likewise, the median height score was significantly lower in the laser group (median = 1; IQR = 1–1) than the control group (median 1.5; IQR 1.5–2), with p-value of 0.001. The median pliability score was significantly lower in the laser group (median = 1; IQR = 1–1) than the control group (median 2.5; IQR 1–3), with p-value of <0.001. Finally, the median vascularity score was significantly lower in the laser group (median = 1; IQR = 1–1) than the control group (median 1.5; IQR 1–2), with p-value of <0.001.
Conclusion
laser bio-modulation irradiation therapy demonstrates a potential efficacy in managing the hypertrophic scars after surgical repair of unilateral cleft lip.