3-D wound scanner: A novel, effective, reliable, and convenient tool for measuring scar area. Issue 8 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Jian; Li, Haihang; Chen, Zhengli; Sheng, Jiajuan; Liu, Tong; Ma, Bing; Zhu, Shihui; Xia, Zhaofan
• Is Part Of: Burns. Volume 44:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1930
• Page End: 1939
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: 2-D two-dimensional -- 3-D three-dimensional; Scar -- Area -- 3-D wound scanner; Burns and scalds -- Periodicals; 617.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2018.05.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-4179

Abstract

Highlights: Innovative use of portable 3D wound scanners to measure scar area;. Questioned the gold standard of the measurement of scar area, profile method, and showed this method is not suitable for measurement of hypertrophic scar area; Scar was divided into three categories, flat, radial (cylindrical), and angled such as joints. Traditional methods are adequate for flat areas, however, errors are large in radial and angled areas.Scar was divided into three categories, flat, radial (cylindrical), and angled such as joints. Traditional methods are adequate for flat areas, however, errors are large in radial and angled areas.. Abstract: This study aimed to investigate whether a three-dimensional (3-D) wound scanner could be used to measure the area of scars. Scar models were constructed using flesh-colored, brown-colored (simulating hyperpigmented scars), orange-colored (simulating scars with obvious vascularization), and white-colored (simulating hypopigmented scars) plastic. Each colored plastic was used to construct scar models with regular and irregular base surfaces (four each). Two human models were selected to simulate patients with scars, and the scar models were placed on the right cheek, right lower jaw-neck, right ulnar forearm, anterior tibial region of the right calf, and at the back of these human models for scar area measurement. Two experimenters separately measured the scar area vertically using the profile method, pixel method, and 3-D wound scanner. Each experimenter measured the scar area thrice. Regarding accuracy, we found significant differences between the data and standard value of various measurement methods (P < 0.05); however, the ratio of the data and standard value using the 3-D wound scanner was 0.982, which was the closest to 1, and showed the lowest coefficient of variation. Regarding correlation, Spearman's coefficient using the 3-D wound scanner was 0.992, showing the strongest correlation. With respect to inter-experimenter reliability and stability of retesting, each Cronbach's coefficient of the 3-D wound scanner between the two experimenters was >0.90, showing high reliability; thus, fulfilling the requirements for clinical measurement. The 3-D wound scanner took an average time of 38.87 ± 3.45 s for measurement, which was significantly shorter compared that for other methods The 3-D wound scanner showed greater accuracy and correlation, and a shorter measurement time, compared with other measurement methods The inter-experimenter reliability and retesting stability of the 3-D wound scanner also fulfilled the requirements for clinical measurement.