This prospective cohort study aimed to compare the efficiency of laser versus traditional acupuncture in
treating cervical spondylosis (CS) pain. Forty female patients were randomized into two equal groups that received 3
sessions / week for 4 weeks. Group A received needle acupuncture therapy with electrical stimulation for 20 min at
standard acupoints, ear points and Ashi point on the average 3 points. Group B received low level laser therapy
(LLLT) acupuncture at the same acupoints. The results demonstrated that tenderness disappeared in 65% of patients in
group A and 75% of patients in group B with improved percentage of 85.5% and 89.2%. Pain on VAS related to
direction of motion at 6 directions was improved in all cases where with improvement percentage 76.45% and
85.88%. Pain on VAS at rest was improved in all patients with improvement percentage of 80.41% and 84.28%.
NDIQ score improved in all patients with improvement percentage of 69.78% and 73.77%. Follow up of VAS after 6
months from the last session revealed persistent improvement in 55% of patients of group A vs 80% of patients of
group B. Mean serum TNF-α was decreased in 85% of patients of group A vs 95% of patients of group B where
serum beta endorphins was increased in all patients. It is concluded that both modes of treatment for CS gave
improvement regarding pain intensity, disability and quality of life being more evident in LLLT followed for 6 months
supported with improved serum TNFα and beta endorphin.
Loss of facial or ear cartilage due to trauma or surgery is a major challenge to the otolaryngologists and plastic surgeons
as the complicated geometric contours are difficult to be animated. Diode laser (980 nm) has been proven effective in
reshaping and maintaining the new geometric shape achieved by laser. This study focused on determining the optimum
laser parameters needed for cartilage reshaping with a controlled water cooling system. Harvested animal cartilages were
angulated with different degrees and irradiated with different diode laser powers (980nm, 4x8mm spot size). The
cartilage specimens were maintained in a deformation angle for two hours after irradiation then released for another two
hours. They were serially measured and photographed.
High-power Diode laser irradiation with water cooling is a cheep and effective method for reshaping the cartilage needed
for reconstruction of difficult situations in otorhinolaryngologic surgery.
Key words: cartilage,diode laser (980nm), reshaping.
Laser cartilage reshaping is a temperature dependent process that results in stress relaxation with subsequent formation of a new and stable specimen's geometry. This temperature dependent process results in mechanical stress relaxation and is characteristic of a phase transformation. The objective of this study was to quantitavely measure changes in tensile elongation and elastic modulus of rabbit auricle cartilage reshaped via diode laser (980 nm) and irradiated in two different protocols. The results revealed that the laser irradiation parameter used in cartilage reshaping does not produce significant irreversible changes in mechanical properties of the cartilage tissue. So diode laser can be considered as one of efficient tools in cartilage reshaping.
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