Articles

The Effect of Infra-Red Diode Laser Irradiation on the Duration and Severity of Post-Operative Pain: A Double Blind Trial

This trial was designed to test the hypothesis that LLLT reduces the extent and duration of postoperative pain. Twenty consecutive patients for elective cholecystectomy were randomly allocated for either LLLT or as controls. The trial was double blind. Patients for LLLT received 6-8 min treatment (GaAlAs: 830 nm: 60 mWCW: CM) to the wound area immediately following skin closure prior to emergence from GA. All patients were prescribed on demand postoperative analgesia (IM or oral according to pain severity). Recordings of pain score (0-10) and analgesic requirements were noted by an independent assessor. There was a significant difference in the number of doses of narcotic analgesic (IM) required between the two groups. Controls n = 5.5: LLLT n = 2.5. No patient in the LLLT group required IM analgesia after 24 hours. Similarly the requirement for oral analgesia was reduced in the LLLT group. Controls n = 9: LLLT n = 4. Control patients assessed their overall pain as moderate to severe compared with mild to moderate in the LLLT group.
This trial of LLLT in the treatment of postoperative pain has demonstrated that it is possible with one short treatment at the end of surgery to reduce by more than 50% the extent and severity of patients’ postoperative pain and as a consequence reduce their need for analgesia. The technique requires the provision of one low powered laser system, one therapist and beyond that no additional supervision, treatment or expense during the full extent of the postoperative period. It is concluded therefore that the use of LLLT following operative procedures offers a new and cost-effective method of reducing both the extent of postoperative pain severity and the analgesic requirement following surgery.