Effect of low-level laser therapy on the healing of second-degree burns in rats: a histological and microbiological study

The number of macrophages at day 16, and the depth of new epidermis at day 30, was significantly less in the laser treated groups in comparison with control and nitrofurazone treated groups (P = 0.000). Staphylococcus epidermidis was found in the 70% of rat wounds in the laser treated groups in comparison with 100% of rats in the control group. S. aureus was found in the 40% rat wounds in the nitrofurazone treated group, but there was not found in the wounds of laser treated, and control groups. It is concluded that low-level laser therapy of deep second-degree burn caused significant decrease in the number of macrophage and depth of new epidermis. In addition, it decreased incidence of S. epidermidis and S. aureus.