Comparison of cold-quartz ultraviolet, low-energy laser, and occlusion in wound healing in a swine model

A randomized, blind, controlled study used six pigs to examine the effectiveness of low-energy HeNe laser irradiation (632.8nm), cold-quartz UV (254nm), occlusion, and exposure in the treatment of full thickness skin wounds. Laser-treated wounds received a nominal dose of 54mW daily on a schedule of six days/week, UV-treated wounds were given two minimal erythemal dose treatments, twice daily, six days a week, and occluded wounds were checked and dressings replaced as needed twice daily, six days a week. All wounds were treated until clinically healed. Time to closure, wound strength, and bacterial colonization were monitored. There were no complications. Although the laser-treated wounds healed faster than the exposed-control wounds (20.3 ± 0.9days vs 21.1 ± 2days), only the occluded wounds healed significantly (p≤0.05) faster than the controls (18 ± 1.6days vs 20.6 ± 1.4days). No statistically significant difference in bacterial colonization or wound strength was noted although the occlusion-treated wounds tended to be the strongest.