Effect of defocused CO2 laser on equine tissue perfusion

Abstract

Treatment with defocused CO2 laser can have a therapeutic effect on effect on equine injuries, but the mechanisms involved are unclear. A recent study has shown that laser causes an increase in equine superficial tissue temperature, which may result in an increase in blood perfusion and a stimulating effect oil tissue regeneration. However, no studies have described the effects on equine tissue perfusion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of defocuscd CO2 laser on blood perfusion and to correlate it with temperature in skin and underlying muscle in anaesthetized horses. Differences between clipped and unclipped haircoat were also assessed. Eight horses and two controls received CO2 laser treatment (91 J/cm(2)) in a randomised order, on a clipped and unclipped area of the hamstring muscles, respectively. The significant increase in clipped skin perfusion and temperature was oil average 146.3+/-33.4 perfusion units (334%) and 5.5+/-1.5 degrees C. respectively. The significant increase in perfusion and temperature in unclipped skin were 80.6+/-20.4 perfusion units (264%) and 4.8+/-1.4 degrees C. No significant changes were seen in Muscle perfusion or temperature. In conclusion, treatment with defocused CO2 laser causes a significant increase in skin perfusion, which is correlated to an increase in skin temperature

Keywords

equine; CO2-laser; therapy; blood perfusion; rehabilitation

Published in

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
2006, Volume: 47, number: 1, pages: 33-42 Publisher: DANSKE DYRLAEGEFORENING

SLU Authors

• Drevemo, Stig

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-47-33

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/8192