Comparative Study of the Effects of the Use of the CO_2 Laser and Chlorohexidine on the Healing of Cutaneous Wounds Infected by the Staphylococcus aureus

摘要

S The aim of this study was to compare histologic and microbiologically the efficacy of the use of the CO_2 Laser and Chlorohexidine Gluconate (0.5% and 2%) on cutaneuos wounds infected by Staphylococcus aureus. Wound infection constitutes a risk for the patients and it is usually associated to increased morbidity, mortality and hospital costs. It is accepted that local treatment of these infections is effective. Standardised wounds created on the dorsum of Wistar rats were infected with Staphylococcus aureus and treated as follows: Group 1: control; Group 2: Chlorohexidine Gluconate (0.5%), 1 min, six days; Group 3: Chlorohexidine Gluconate (2%), 1 min, six days; Group 4: CO_2 Laser, CW, RSP, 8W, 10s, single application, maintaining surface debris; Group 5: CO_2 Laser, CW, RSP, 8W, 10s, single application, removing surface debris. Eight days after wounding material from the surface of the wound was collected for microbiology and the animals were sacrificed and specimens taken for light microscopy. Microbiological exami nations showed that on group 2 the bacteria were not found on 50% of the animals. On group 3.83% were germ-free, on group 4 50% and on group 5 66.6%. Histological examination showed a better result for CO_2 laser treated wounds compared to the others. It is concluded that the use o a 2% Cholohexidine solution was more effective on decontaminating the wounds. However, wounds treated with the CO_2 laser and with the removal of surface debris healed better than the others.