Abstract:
Objective: This case series describes the successful management of grade 3 burn ulcers in 10 diabetic patients using Autologous Fibroblast Transplantation along with Low-Level Laser Therapy.
Background: Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been used as an effective therapeutic modality since the mid-1960s. Although there have been several clinical studies using LLLT in wound healing especially diabetic, pressure and venous ulcers, there are few reports of using this technique in burn ulcers. Autologous fibroblast transplantation is a novel treatment for patients with burns or venous ulcers. In this study for the first time we used LLLT along with autologous fibroblast skin transplantation to treat grade 3 burn ulcers in diabetic patients.
Materials and Methods: After Tehran university Ethics comity approval (IR.TUMS.REC.1394.1683) and Iran Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT2016050226069N3, ten diabetic patients with 10 grade 3 burn ulcers, who were candidate for skin graft surgery entered the study. Donor skin was biopsied using 3 mm punch. Fibroblasts were extracted and cultured in-vitro in GMP Technique lab. Patients were treated using LLLT in 3-4 weeks during the time that fibroblast cultures became ready to use. Laser irradiation was done using red light, 650 nm, 150 mW, 1 J/ cm2 for the bed of the ulcer and infra-red light 808 nm, 200 mW, 6 J/ cm2 for the margins every other day for 10 sessions.
Results: The mean wound size before treatment was 16.28 Cm2. All patients healed completely after 10- 12 weeks.
Conclusion: We conclude that this method can be used as an effective method for treating large wounds especially in complicated patients including diabetics.