Comparison of the Influence of CO₂-laser and Scalpel Skin Incisions on the Surgical Wound Healing Process

Article Review: Comparison of the Influence of CO₂-laser and Scalpel Skin Incisions on the Surgical Wound Healing Process

By L. Miguel Carreira and Pedro Azevedo
Published in the ARC Journal of Anesthesiology, Volume 1, Issue 3, 2016 – ISSN No. 2455-9792

This study evaluates the influence of CO₂ laser and scalpel skin incisions on the surgical wound healing process.

The Laser

The Aesculight CO₂ laser model 1507 (manufactured by LightScalpel, LLC, Bothell, WA). The Aesculight model AE-1507 is functionally similar to LightScalpel LS-1005 and LS-2010 laser systems with identical SuperPulse peak power, pulse energy, pulse timing, and spot size specifications.

The Study

The study was conducted using a sample of 70 dogs of both genders submitted to elective spay surgeries. The samples were divided in two groups according to the surgical method performed. Assessment was made before surgery, 48 hours after surgery, and 8 days after surgery. Blood samples were collected to quantify the variations in white blood cells, plasmatic protein total and serum albumin. To rate a patient’s pain level, the Melbourne Pain Scale was used. They followed up with the patients to evaluate the wound for closure time, dehiscence and scar appearance.

The Results

Incisions made with the CO₂ laser exhibited several advantages over scalpel made incisions including:

• Accelerated healing
• Less pain and better comfort post-operatively
• Better cosmetic results

Skin incisions made with CO₂ laser were associated with lower white blood cell counts and minor tissue trauma, because the endothelial wall does not incur as much injury as with scalpel incisions. This caused a decreased plasmatic protein total and serum albumin extravasation levels, thus speeding up the healing process. At 48 hours after surgery, the patients who had surgery with a CO₂ laser had lower pain levels and consequently exhibited greater post-operative patient comfort. The cosmetic results were different between the methods, with 100% patients who had surgery with a CO₂ laser showing very good scar appearances eight days after surgery.

Read the full article here: www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/aja/v1-i3/1.pdf