Impact of ultra-pulse carbon dioxide laser on the treatment of chronic refractory ulcer with bone exposure

BACKGROUND:Chronic refractory ulcers with bone exposure present significant challenges in wound management and necessitate effective treatment strategies to facilitate healing and alleviate patient discomfort. This study aimed to investigate the impact of ultra-pulse carbon dioxide laser on treating chronic refractory ulcers with bone exposure. METHODS:This retrospective observational study enrolled patients diagnosed with chronic refractory ulcers with bone exposure admitted to the wound repair clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University between July 2018 and July 2019. RESULTS:A total of 64 patients with chronic refractory ulcers and bone exposure were included, of which 32 patients underwent ultra-pulse carbon dioxide laser drilling. Compared with patients who did not receive ultra-pulse carbon dioxide laser treatment, those who experienced the procedure demonstrated significantly higher wound healing rates on the fourth, eighth, 12th, 16th, and 20th days after treatment (all P < .001), lower scores on the visual analog scale for pain after 20 days of debridement (0.24 ± 0.05 vs 0.58 ± 0.12, P < .001), lower granulation color observation scores on the 12th, 16th, and 20th days (all P = .001), as well as reduced treatment costs (8200 ± 1600 yuan vs 15400 ± 3800 yuan, P < .001). CONCLUSION:Ultra-pulse carbon dioxide laser treatment may enhance the growth of granulation tissue, improve wound healing rates, reduce pain, and lower treatment costs for patients with chronic bone exposure wounds compared to those without such treatment.