A PILOT study has revealed promising results for blue light photobiomodulation in treating complicated postsurgical breast wounds, with significant improvements in healing times and reduced complication severity. The study, conducted at a medical institution between March 2022 and September 2023, examined the impact of blue light therapy (EmoLED) on female patients who developed complicated wounds after reconstructive breast surgery.
The study enrolled 27 female patients with a median age of 54 years. The majority underwent mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction, while others had contralateral second-stage reduction mammaplasty. Blue light therapy was administered in addition to standard wound care, and the team assessed healing times, the number of EmoLED sessions required, and the severity of complications. Over a median follow-up of 19 months, the patients experienced 35 complications, including skin necroses, partial nipple-areolar complex necroses, and wound dehiscences. The median number of EmoLED sessions required was five, usually administered weekly.
Certain factors were associated with longer healing times and more EmoLED sessions, including a higher BMI, smoking habits, Wise-pattern incisions, thin mastectomy skin flaps, and subpectoral implant placements. Additionally, complications classified as Clavien-Dindo grade III were linked to diabetes mellitus, higher BMI, smoking, and thinner skin flaps. Importantly, no implant loss was reported among the patients.
The findings suggest that blue light therapy significantly accelerates and optimizes the healing process for complicated postsurgical breast wounds. While the pilot study provides promising evidence, the authors recommend larger prospective studies to further validate these results and assess the long-term efficacy of blue light therapy in improving wound healing in patients after breast surgery.
Reference:
Polo J et al. Pilot Study: Blue Light Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Complicated Wounds in Breast Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2025;13(7):e6989.
