Inadequate effect of helium-neon laser on venous leg ulcers.

A study to determine whether laser radiation of low-power photon density would really affect the healing of venous leg ulcers in man was performed. The ulcers were irradiated 6 d per wk with a helium-neon laser (wavelength 632.8 nm). Energy densities of 1 J/cm2 (16 patients) and 4 J/cm2 (17 patients) were administered daily. The control group (28 patients) received only antiseptic local compresses as treatment. No statistically significant difference between the laser-treated group and the control group was found. It was concluded that helium-neon laser radiation has no advantages over standard local treatments, at least with the dosage schedules and protocols employed