Wound outcomes: the utility of surface measures

The value of using quantitative measures to follow the progress of wound healing is well recognized. However, several methods are in use, and the best way to do this is not always clear from the literature. This article describes the advantages of the linear healing parameter and the disadvantages of the area- and volume-based parameters. The shapes and sizes of wounds influence area- and volume-based parameters, hence these will give biased comparisons. Healing rates based on the linear parameter are independent of initial wound size or shape, and they allow unbiased comparisons within and across studies. A formula for predicting healing time from measurements early in the healing course is presented and discussed. Less precise linear healing measurements that are easy to obtain, and that are as valid as the more precise measurements, are also described.