An effective procedure for skin stiffness measurement to improve Paediatric Burn Care.
Burns
; 45(5): 1102-1111, 2019 08.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30833098
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The objective evaluation of scar quality plays a crucial role in improving burn surgery and scar rehabilitation. Suction-based skin measurements were proposed as a method to objectively determine the mechanical properties of scars, yet their use is limited, in particular for paediatric burn care. A new device was developed which provides essential advantages for scar assessment. The aim of this study was to assess its reliability, intra- and interobserver variability.METHODS:
The new device, "Nimble", consists of a lightweight probe that measures the negative pressure needed to obtain a predefined tissue elevation, revealing information on the stiffness of the tissue. 29 former paediatric burn patients were included. Three observers measured the tissue stiffness of a predefined location on the scar and on healthy skin using the Nimble, and the established suction device, the Cutometer®. The reliability of both instruments in distinguishing between healthy skin and scar was assessed by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient.RESULTS:
The Nimble successfully differentiated between scar tissue and healthy skin in 92%, the Cutometer in 80% of the patients (p<0.05). Inter- and intraobserver variability of the Nimble (ICCs) were excellent. For the majority of the calculated ICC values the Nimble exceeded the Cutometer®.CONCLUSION:
The new device enables reliable and safe measurement of the stiffness of scars. Measurements are less susceptible to patient non-compliance and observer dependency. The Nimble might therefore constitute an easy to use tool for the systematic assessment of scars, thus supporting decision-making in paediatric burn care.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Piel
/
Quemaduras
/
Cicatriz
/
Elasticidad
/
Diseño de Equipo
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Burns
Asunto de la revista:
TRAUMATOLOGIA
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article