Closure of skin incisions by laser-welding with a combination of two near-infrared diode lasers: preliminary study for determination of optimal parameters

J Biomed Opt. 2011 Mar;16(3):038001. doi: 10.1117/1.3552648.

Abstract

Laser welding has the potential to become an effective method for wound closure and healing without sutures. Closure of skin incisions by laser welding with a combination of two near-infrared lasers (980 and 1064 nm), was performed for the first time in this study. One centimeter long, full-thickness incisions were made on the Wistar rat's dorsal skin. The efficiencies of laser-welding with different parameters were investigated. Incision-healing, histology examination, and a tensile strength test of incisions were recorded. Laser welding with the irradiance level of 15.9 W∕cm(2) for both 980 and 1064-nm lasers and exposure time of 5 s per spot in continuous wave mode yielded a more effective closure and healing with minimal thermal damage, faster recovery, and stronger apposition in comparison with a suturing technique. The conclusion is that skin welding with a combination of two near-infrared diode lasers can be a good candidate for incision closure, and further investigations are in progress for clinical use.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dermatologic Surgical Procedures*
  • Lasers, Semiconductor / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Optical Phenomena
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin / physiopathology
  • Suture Techniques
  • Tensile Strength
  • Wound Closure Techniques*
  • Wound Healing