Effectiveness of Low-Intensity Laser Therapy on Tissue Repair Following Saphenectomy in Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness of low-intensity laser therapy (LLLT) on tissue repair following saphenectomy during postoperative period in patients having undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial, controlled and double-blind study was conducted with 40 volunteers, divided into 2 groups: a placebo group (PG, n = 20) and a laser group (LG, n = 20). The patients in the LG group were irradiated with laser during saphenectomy (InGaAlP, λ 660 nm, energy density 6 J/cm2) daily from the first to the fourth postoperative day. The surgical incision was clinically evaluated and imaged at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. The areas of hematoma and hyperemia were evaluated using the software ImageJ 1.4©, and border closure was evaluated by three researchers, who were blinded concerning the allocation of the participants. RESULTS: The LG group presented a reduction of the areas of hematoma and hyperemia (p = 0.0003) and better border closure (p = 0.009), when compared with the PG group. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed LLLT protocol improved the tissue repair following saphenectomy in CABG patients.

Low-intensity LED therapy (λ 640 ± 20 nm) on saphenectomy healing in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft: a randomized, double-blind study.

Myocardial revascularization surgery (CABG) is the most appropriate treatment for coronary artery disease. Currently, the great challenge is to reduce postoperative complications, such as wound infections, dehiscence, pain, and patients' quality of life. The saphenectomy is the target of complications in 10% of cases, which can cause greater morbidity, time, and cost of hospitalization. Studies show that low-intensity laser or light-emitted diode (LED) therapy promotes positive biomodulation of the tissue repair process, culminating in a lower incidence of dehiscence, pain reduction, and improvement in quality of life. The objective of the present study was to evaluate clinically the saphenous tissue repair after LED therapy. Forty subjects of both genders who underwent CABG with extracorporeal circulation were randomly divided into two groups: the placebo (PG) and experimental (EG). The experimental group underwent low-intensity LED therapy (λ 640 ± 20 nm, 6 J/cm2) on saphenectomy. The tissue repair was analyzed by digital photogrammetry on the first and fifth postoperative day. The border closure was blindly evaluated by three researchers. The hematoma and hyperemia area was quantitatively analyzed using ImageJ© software. The results showed that in the experimental group, there were less bleeding points and no dehiscence in saphenectomy, as compared to the placebo group. There was also a smaller area of hematoma and hyperemia in the experimental group (p < 0.0009). These data lead to the conclusion that the type of phototherapy protocol employed can assist in tissue repair.

Low-intensity laser (660 NM) has analgesic effects on sternotomy of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafts.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy for reducing the acute pain of sternotomy in patients who underwent a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). METHODS: This study was conducted with ninety volunteers who electively submitted to CABG. The volunteers were randomly allocated into three groups of equal size (n = 30): control, placebo, and laser (λ of 660 nm and spatial average energy fluency of 1.06 J/cm 2 ). Pain when coughing was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire, according to sensory, affective, evaluative, and miscellaneous domains. The patients were followed for 1 month after the surgery. RESULTS: The laser group had a greater decrease in pain with analogous results, as indicated by both the VAS and the McGill questionnaire (P ≤ 0.05) on sensory and affective scores, on days 6 and 8 postsurgery compared to the placebo and control groups. CONCLUSION: Laser seems to be effective promoting pain reduction after coronary-arterial bypass grafting.

Low-intensity laser (660 nm) on sternotomy healing in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft: a randomized, double-blind study.

The aim of this study was to analyze the healing effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the longitudinal sternotomy incisions of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The volunteers were randomized into three groups of equal size (n = 30): control, placebo, and laser (λ = 660 nm and spatial average energy fluency [SAEF] = 1.06 J/cm2). The patients in the laser group underwent irradiation on postoperative days 2, 4, 6, and 8, and their sternotomy incisions were photographed immediately after the surgery and 8 days later for analysis. Three researchers who were blinded to the patient treatment groups analyzed the incision photographs to assess hyperemia and wound closure on the day of hospital discharge (eighth postoperative day). The sternotomy incisions in the LLLT group demonstrated less hyperemia, incisional bleeding, and dehiscence (p ≤ 0.005).

[Prenatal care and risk factors associated with premature birth and low birth weight in the a capital in the Brazilian Northeast]. / Atenção pré-natal e fatores de risco associados à prematuridade e baixo peso ao nascer em capital do nordeste brasileiro.

The main determinants of the risk of mortality in the neonatal period are low birth weight and premature birth. The study sought to analyze the adequacy of prenatal care and risk factors associated with premature birth and low birth weight in a northeastern Brazilian capital. This is a case-control study. A model for adequacy of prenatal conditions composed of four indicators was created. Descriptive statistics for univariate analysis were used; as well as Wald linear trend tests, Student's t and chi-square test for bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression for multivariate analysis with p <0.05. Multivariate analysis showed that poor education, not performing gainful activity, caesarean section, oligohydramnios, placental abruption and pre-eclampsia are independent factors associated with premature birth and/or low birth weight. For adequacy of prenatal care, variable indicator III remained significant, showing that mothers who had inadequate prenatal care had an increased chance for the occurrence of the outcome, highlighting the need for adequate public health policies of care for pregnant women in the municipality under scrutiny.

Atenção pré-natal e fatores de risco associados à prematuridade e baixo peso ao nascer em capital do nordeste brasileiro / Prenatal care and risk factors associated with premature birth and low birth weight in the a capital in the Brazilian Northeast

Resumo Os principais determinantes do risco de morrer no período neonatal são o baixo peso ao nascer e a prematuridade. O estudo teve como objetivo analisar a adequação do pré-natal e fatores de risco associados à prematuridade e ao baixo peso ao nascerem uma capital do nordeste brasileiro. Trata-se de um estudo caso-controle. Foi construído um modelo de adequação do pré-natal composto por quatro indicadores. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva para análise univariada; testes de Wald, de tendência linear, t de Student e qui-quadrado para a análise bivariada e regressão logística múltipla para análise multivariada com p<0,05. A análise multivariada mostrou que baixa escolaridade, não realizar atividade remunerada, parto cesáreo, oligodrâmnio, descolamento prematuro da placenta e pré-eclâmpsia são fatores independentes associados com a prematuridade e/ou baixo peso ao nascer. Para adequação do pré-natal, a variável Indicador III permaneceu significativa, mostrando que as mães que apresentaram inadequação da atenção pré-natal tiveram chance aumentada para a ocorrência do desfecho, evidenciando a necessidade de adequação de políticas públicas de saúde de atenção às gestantes no município estudado.

Abstract The main determinants of the risk of mortality in the neonatal period are low birth weight and premature birth. The study sought to analyze the adequacy of prenatal care and risk factors associated with premature birth and low birth weight in a northeastern Brazilian capital. This is a case-control study. A model for adequacy of prenatal conditions composed of four indicators was created. Descriptive statistics for univariate analysis were used; as well as Wald linear trend tests, Student’s t and chi-square test for bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression for multivariate analysis with p <0.05. Multivariate analysis showed that poor education, not performing gainful activity, caesarean section, oligohydramnios, placental abruption and pre-eclampsia are independent factors associated with premature birth and/or low birth weight. For adequacy of prenatal care, variable indicator III remained significant, showing that mothers who had inadequate prenatal care had an increased chance for the occurrence of the outcome, highlighting the need for adequate public health policies of care for pregnant women in the municipality under scrutiny.

Contracepção entre puérperas adolescentes / Contraception among adolescent puerperae

Objetivo ­ Analisar o uso de contraceptivos por puérperas adolescentes. Métodos ­ Estudo transversal realizado no domicílio de 202 adolescentes, três meses após resolução da gravidez em quatro maternidades de Teresina-PI, incluídas no estudo. Resultados ­ A maioria das jovens sexualmente ativas referiu uso de contraceptivos (94,7%), sendo o preservativo masculino o mais usado (36,6%). Parcela significativa não estava mais em aleitamento exclusivo (61,8%), relatou o retorno da menstruação (53,0%) e a realização de pelo menos uma consulta puerperal (59,4%), destas, 53,0% receberam orientação sobre contracepção. Conclusão ­ Número expressivo de puérperas referiu contracepção de três meses pós-parto. Entretanto, apesar do padrão satisfatório de uso, o desmame precoce e o retorno da menstruação, assim como orientações sobre contracepção dadas, apenas parte das puérperas as predispõem ao risco de nova gestação.

Objective ­ To analyze the use of contraceptive methods by adolescent puerperae. Methods ­ Cross-sectional study of 202 adolescents at home, three months after resolution of pregnancy in four hospitals in Teresina-PI, participating in the study. Results ­ The use of contraceptives was reported by almost 95% of the sexually active young, male condom being the most popular one (36,6%). The majority was no longer exclusively breastfeeding (61,8%), reported the return of menstruation (53,0%), as well as 59,4% had at least one postpartum medical visit, and of these 53,0% said they had received advice on contraception. Conclusion ­ Significant number of puerperae reported using a contraceptive method in the three months postpartum. However, despite the satisfactory standard of use, early weaning and the return of menstruation, as well as providing guidance on contraception to just a portion of the puerperae makes them more likely to have a new pregnancy