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Objective scar assessment tools: a clinimetric appraisal
Pauline D H M Verhaegen1, Martijn B A van der Wal, Esther Middelkoop
1Beverwijk and Amsterdam, The Netherlands From the Association of Dutch Burn Centers; the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery and the Burn Center, Red Cross Hospital; the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam; and the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, VU Medical Center.
This review identifies the best noninvasive tools for objectively measuring scar features like color and thickness. These tools are crucial for evidence-based medicine and evaluating scar treatments.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Medical Device Technology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Scars present cosmetic, psychological, and functional challenges.
- Objective scar assessment is vital for evidence-based medicine and clinical trial evaluation.
- Key scar features include color, thickness, relief, pliability, and surface area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview and update on noninvasive objective measurement tools for scar evaluation.
- To critically review the clinimetric properties of selected scar assessment tools.
- To recommend the most suitable measurement tools based on scar features.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive PubMed literature search was conducted.
- Articles focused on clinimetric properties of noninvasive scar assessment tools were included.
- Selected tools were critically reviewed for reliability, validity, and feasibility.
Main Results:
- 75 articles were selected for the review.
- 23 different noninvasive scar measurement methods were evaluated.
- The review details the performance of each method.
Conclusions:
- Recommendations are provided for the best available measurement tools.
- Tool selection is based on specific scar features (color, thickness, relief, pliability, surface area).
- This aids in objective scar assessment and treatment outcome evaluation.
