The use of low-level laser therapy for wound healing in primary health care: case series

Abstract

Introduction: the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds in Primary Health Care (PHC) is a practice of nurses and the insertion of new technologies in care is essential. In this context, laser therapy is an adjuvant practice that has been gaining prominence in the scientific and clinical environment. Objective: To evaluate the use of low-level laser therapy in wound healing in PHC services. Results: 14 people with wounds of etiologies that included ulcers associated with diabetes mellitus, venous insufficiency and pressure injury were evaluated. The mean age analyzed was 69,43 years, with 50% in equal proportion of gender. Before laser application, pain was present in 85,71%, odor in 71,40%, serous exudate in 14,3%, the number of gauzes used to measure the amount of exudate as moderate in 78,6%, and the mean area of the wounds was 25,28 cm². At the end of the laser treatment, pain was present in one individual (7,10%), odor in seven individuals (50%), the former, serous exudate in 85,7%, all wounds had a reduction in the number of gauzes used, and the average size of the wounds was 10,32 cm². There was a mean reduction of 6,35 cm² in the pre-laser therapy area and with the use of laser, and 5,45 cm², without statistical significance (p:0.846). Conclusion: it is concluded that the appropriate dressing technique, associated with laser therapy, showed a reduction in measurements, as well as in pain relief, amount of exudate and odor, indicating the efficacy of the treatment.