Low-Level Laser Therapy Effects on Reducing Surgical Complications and Wound Infection after Cesarean Section

Abstract

Background: One of the main problems in cesarean section cases is represented by postoperative pain that can cause delay in recovery and intense complications for patients. Therefore, the present study evaluates the effect and quality of treating infectious tissue and surgical complications using low-level lasers after cesarean section.Methods: In this clinical study, 240 candidates for the same type of surgery using the spinal anesthesia technique, were randomly divided into a laser treatment group and a control group. Finally, the surgical incision in the laser group was irradiated by laser (810 nm). Furthermore, the same method was used for the control group. The first request for analgesia, total analgesic consumption and severity of postoperative pain by visual analogue scale (VAS) were monitored in all patients for 24 hours.Findings: The 240 participants in the present study were equally allocated (1:1 ratio) to the case and control groups. There was a significant difference in average age (P=0.013) between subjects of the two study groups, with controls having a lower average age than participants in the case group based on the obtained results. However, the body mass index did not significantly differ between the two groups (p=0.1). The average use of painkillers (a painkiller is a pill or other form of drug that reduces or stops physical pain), suture removal time, and postoperative pain on days 3, 7, 14, and six weeks after surgery were lower in the case group than in the control group. The obtained difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion:According to the findings of this study, using low-level laser therapy with cluster current (wavelength 810 nm and power 300 mW and power density for low-level laser 4 W/cm2) can help reduce postoperative pain and the need for painkillers.