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Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment
Published on: November 6, 2018
A systematic review of objective burn scar measurements
Kwang Chear Lee1, Janine Dretzke2, Liam Grover3
1The Healing Foundation Burn Research Centre, University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust, Birmingham, B15 2TH UK ; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
Background:
Problematic scarring remains a challenging aspect to address in the treatment of burns and can significantly affect the quality of life of the burn survivor. At present, there are few treatments available in the clinic to control adverse scarring, but experimental pharmacological anti-scarring strategies are now beginning to emerge. Their comparative success must be based on objective measurements of scarring, yet currently the clinical assessment of scars is not carried out systematically and is mostly based on subjective review of patients. However, several techniques and devices are being introduced that allow objective analysis of the burn scar. The aim of this article is to evaluate various objective measurement tools currently available and recommend a useful panel that is suitable for use in clinical trials of anti-scarring therapies.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was done using the Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane databases. The identified devices were then classified and grouped according to the parameters they measured. The tools were then compared and assessed in terms of inter- and intra-rater reproducibility, ease of use and cost.
Results:
After duplicates were removed, 5062 articles were obtained in the search. After further screening, 157 articles which utilised objective burn scar measurement systems or tools were obtained. The scar measurement devices can be broadly classified into those measuring colour, metric variables, texture, biomechanical properties and pathophysiological disturbances.
Conclusions:
Objective scar measurement tools allow the accurate and reproducible evaluation of scars, which is important for both clinical and scientific use. However, studies to evaluate their relative performance and merits of these tools are scarce, and there remain factors, such as itch and pain, which cannot be measured objectively. On reviewing the available evidence, a panel of devices for objective scar measurement is recommended consisting of the 3D cameras (Eykona/Lifeviz/Vectra H1) for surface area and volume, DSM II colorimeter for colour, Dermascan high-frequency ultrasound for scar thickness and Cutometer for skin elasticity and pliability.
Insights
Objective scar measurement tools improve burn scar evaluation for clinical trials. A recommended panel includes 3D cameras, colorimeters, ultrasound, and a Cutometer for accurate, reproducible scar assessment.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Medical Engineering
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Problematic scarring significantly impacts burn survivors' quality of life.
- Current clinical scar assessment relies on subjective methods, hindering objective evaluation.
- Emerging pharmacological therapies require standardized, objective scar measurement for efficacy assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate available objective measurement tools for burn scars.
- To recommend a suitable panel of devices for clinical trials of anti-scarring therapies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane databases.
- Classification and comparison of identified devices based on measured parameters, reproducibility, usability, and cost.
Main Results:
- 157 articles utilizing objective burn scar measurement tools were identified.
- Devices measure scar parameters including color, metric variables, texture, biomechanical properties, and pathophysiological disturbances.
Conclusions:
- Objective scar measurement tools enable accurate and reproducible scar evaluation for clinical and scientific purposes.
- A recommended panel includes 3D cameras (surface area/volume), DSM II colorimeter (color), high-frequency ultrasound (thickness), and Cutometer (elasticity/pliability).
- Further studies are needed to evaluate tool performance, and subjective factors like itch and pain remain unmeasured.
