Lasers in surgery and medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy of low power laser therapy and exercise on pain and functions in chronic low back pain.
The aim of this study was to determine whether low power laser therapy (Gallium-Arsenide) is useful or not for the therapy of chronic low back pain (LBP). ⋯ Low power laser therapy seemed to be an effective method in reducing pain and functional disability in the therapy of chronic LBP.
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Experimental animal study of burns is dependent on a reliable burn generation system. Most of the experimental systems used today are unable to produce precise partial thickness burns. This limits the ability to study minor changes associated with burn care. The aim of the study was to develop a method for generating burns with a fixed depth using a CO2 laser burn generation system. ⋯ The fiber-optic-controlled laser burn generation system studied is a reliable tool for creating partial thickness as well as full thickness skin burns in rats.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy of different therapy regimes of low-power laser in painful osteoarthritis of the knee: a double-blind and randomized-controlled trial.
A prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial was conducted in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) to evaluate the efficacy of infrared low-power Gallium-Arsenide (Ga-As) laser therapy (LPLT) and compared two different laser therapy regimes. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that applications of LPLT in different dose and duration have not affected results and both therapy regimes were a safe and effective method in treatment of knee OA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effects of linearly polarized 0.6-1.6 microM irradiation on stellate ganglion function in normal subjects and people with complex regional pain (CRPS I).
Stellate ganglion blocks are an effective but invasive treatment of upper extremity pain. Linearly polarized red and near-infrared (IR) light is promoted as a safe alternative to this procedure, but its effects are poorly established. This study was designed to assess the physiological effects of this latter approach and to quantitate its benefits in people with upper extremity pain due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I (CRPS I, RSD). ⋯ Irradiation is well tolerated. There is a suggestion in this small study that treatment is beneficial and that its benefits are not dependent on changes in sympathetic tone. Further evaluation is warranted.
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Due to the increased popularity of laryngeal laser therapy, surgeons and anesthesiologists are inevitably confronted with questions concerning the choice of the most efficient endotracheal tube (ETT) for laryngeal laser surgery, especially with regard to possible endolaryngeal tube fires, or combustions. The purpose of this study was to determine the current practice in endolaryngeal laser surgery in Germany. ⋯ The present study could demonstrate that the use of special laser tubes does not necessarily protect against ETT fire. Thus, even when using special laser tubes other safety measures should be taken. In view of the maximum safety for the patient it has to be stated, that the safety during surgery correlates definitely with the experience of the surgeon. The weakest point of ETTs is usually situated in the cuff region.