Background: Peripheral nerve lesion is frequent and could result in lifetime disability if untreated. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) could affect connective tissue cells (fibroblasts) and their functions, accelerate their repair functions and act as an anti-inflammatory agent. The present work aimed to assess the value of using LLLT in peripheral nerve regeneration and how it affects it and to evaluate the effect of LLLT on regeneration of injured sciatic nerves of albino rats.

Methods: In an experimental study twenty-four Sprague-Dawley young adult male rats with an average weight of 250-350 grams were subjected to sciatic nerve transected and repaired primarily using 9/0 Polypropylene sutures under a surgical microscope, that were split into groups: Group (1): (Therapeutic Group): LLLT was applied around epineural repair site. Group (2): (Control Group): Primary epineural repair only, Histologic evaluation was performed using light microscopy where the number of myelinated axons proximal and distal to the epineural repair site was counted by professional examiner who wasn't aware of the nature of the experiment.

Results: High statistically significant (P<0.001) increased number of myelinated nerve fibers (proximal) in group 1 (mean= 180 ± 58 and ranged from 84 to 276) was found when compared with that of group 2 (mean= 60 ± 1.5 and ranged from 58 to 62).

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) significantly enhances sciatic nerve regeneration in white male Albino rats.