OP136 PHOTOBIOMODULATION, AS ADDITIONAL TREATMENT TO TRADITIONAL DRESSING OF HARD-TOHEAL VENOUS LEG ULCERS, IN FRAIL ELDERLY WITH MUNICIPALITY HOME HEALTHCARE.

Aim: Aim of the study was to evaluate if adding laser Photobiomodulation (PBM) to traditional dressing of hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers (VLU) reduced healing time, compared to control group from the Swedish registry of ulcer treatment RiksSar. Method: 34 VLU were treated with infrared 904nm and red 635nm laser PBM twice a week, until healing of the VLU. Tailormade individual control groups were extracted from RiksSar for each of the PBM treated ulcers, a median of 402 control ulcers per PBM ulcer. Results / Discussion: Healing time of the 34 hard-to-heal VLU in the PBM group was reduced between 66 and 180 days, with a median of 123 days compared to the control group receiving traditional dressing (p= 0.0001). Conclusion: Regardless of the frailty of the PBM group, compared to control group, healing time of hard-to-heal VLU were significantly improved, with a median of 123 days, by adding PBM to traditional dressing. Incorporating PBM into mainstream VLU treatment may significantly change outcomes of treatment. Shortening ulcer duration and promoting healing, including long-term hard-to-heal VLU saves time and resources, for patients and professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]