Dehghanpour H.R. et al. - Effect of photobiomodulation on post-cesarean wound healing

Share this article:

Among 40 women who delivered via a first cesarean section, treatment with low-power red laser was associated with better wound-healing scores on days 3, 7, and 10 compared with conventional care. This is a single clinical study—with no reported randomization or blinding—and not a meta-analysis.

What this study measured

The authors compared an intervention group of 40 patients treated with photobiomodulation to a control group receiving conventional treatments, described as ointments and tablets. The study population consisted of women aged 18 to 40, with a body mass index of 29 to 36, whose first delivery had been by cesarean section.

The device was a line-scan InGaAlP semiconductor laser. The abstract mentions wavelengths of 658 and 660 nm and powers of 100, 150, and 350 mW; the detailed protocol specifies 100 mW at 658 nm and a dose of 2 J/cm². The outcome measures were pain, assessed on a visual analog scale, and the REEDA score, which combines erythema, edema, ecchymosis, exudate, and wound margin separation. The questionnaires were completed within hours of the procedure and then on days 3, 7, and 10.

Key Findings

The reported differences relate to the REEDA score.

40 patients in the intervention group; the size of the control group is not specified in the abstract
Mean REEDA score: significant difference on day 3 (p = 0.035)
Mean REEDA score: significant difference on day 7 (p = 0.03)
Mean REEDA score: significant difference on day 10 (p = 0.02)
On day 10, the mean score was 1.09 ± 0.586 in the treatment group versus 2.25 ± 0.422 in the control group

The summary does not provide any numerical results for pain, confidence intervals, or data on adverse effects.

How photobiomodulation works for this indication

The mechanisms proposed for wound healing remain hypothetical. The absorption of red light by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase may increase ATP synthesis in cells involved in tissue repair. Modulation of postoperative inflammation, stimulation of angiogenesis, and activation of fibroblasts and collagen synthesis have also been proposed. None of these parameters were measured in this study.

Limits You Should Know

The abstract does not describe randomization, blinding, or placebo treatment: the control group received conventional care of a different nature. Part of the observed difference may therefore be attributable to the patients’ expectations and the care they received, especially since the REEDA score and the visual analog scale are based in part on self-report.

Follow-up ends on the 10th day and provides no information on the final appearance of the scar. This is a single, single-center study conducted on a population limited by age and body mass index. The pain results are not reported numerically, which constitutes missing data.

Finally, a recent C-section scar is a surgical wound: any treatment—whether light-based or otherwise—requires prior medical consultation with the team providing postoperative care.

What This Means in Practice

These data provide preliminary evidence supporting the potential benefits of photobiomodulation on early clinical signs of wound healing following a cesarean section. However, they are not sufficient to establish a protocol or to justify home use. Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded trials are needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does the REEDA score measure?

The REEDA score assesses five clinical signs of a wound: redness, edema, ecchymosis, exudate, and separation of wound edges. A lower score indicates a wound with a more favorable appearance. In this study, the mean score on day 10 was 1.09 ± 0.586 in the treatment group, compared with 2.25 ± 0.422 in the control group.

Can you apply light to a recent C-section scar?

This decision cannot be made on the spur of the moment. A recent scar is a surgical wound that is at risk of infection and wound separation, and its care is the responsibility of the obstetric team. Any application to a recent scar must be preceded by a medical evaluation.

Does the study show an effect on postoperative pain?

Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale, but the abstract does not report any numerical results or comparisons between groups. On this specific point, therefore, the study does not allow for any conclusions. Only the REEDA healing scores are reported, along with p-values.

Reference

Dehghanpour HR, Parvin P, Ganjali P, Golchini A, Eshghifard H, Heidari O. Evaluation of the effect of photobiomodulation on cesarean section wound healing: a clinical study. Lasers in Medical Science, 2023;38(1):171. PMID 37526765. DOI 10.1007/s10103-023-03774-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03774-6

This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Photobiomodulation is not a substitute for prescribed treatment. Consult a healthcare professional.