Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: Are Phototherapies Advantageous for Managing Orofacial Lesions? Our Experience With Brazilian Hospitals

Abstract

Our research group has recently published some case reports on the use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for managing orofacial lesions in COVID-19 patients, giving a new perspective on the role of laser in daily practice during COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, considering our wide experience with these patients in Brazil, the current commentary paper aimed to briefly present some multicenter cases in which PBMT and aPDT were used concomitantly to manage orofacial lesions in critically ill patients with COVID-19, a condition that has never been addressed in the literature. The proposed laser protocol was effective in wound healing in all the cases; however, the degree of improvement and the period required varied substantially. Given the cases presented, we hope to encourage clinicians to consider using aPDT and PBMT concomitantly for managing COVID-19-related orofacial lesions in intensive care unit patients with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.