The sonic digitizer: a rapid and accurate method to assess the size of experimental flaps

Two methods for measuring area, the sonic digitizer and the polar-planimeter, were compared for speed, accuracy, and efficiency. The sonic digitizer was significantly (p less than 0.001) faster than the planimeter (97.2 +/- 9.5 versus 206.3 +/- 14.8 seconds per flap) and more efficient. The accuracy of both methods in measuring areas of 5 to 30 cm2 was comparable; however, for areas of 5 to 13 cm2 the sonic digitizer gave more reproducible results (p less than 0.001). These differences were not reflected in the computed rate of necrosis of the present flap model.