Summary
Keloid scars often fail to respond to treatment, so research into new therapeutic
regimes is important. However, research is limited by a scarcity of reliable, objective
scar assessment tools. The volume of a keloid scar should decrease with successful
treatment. This study demonstrates the use of a non-contact 3D digitiser to measure
digitally the volume of a keloid scar.
The scanner was used to scan 62 keloid scars and one fine-line normal scar. The scan
took approximately 9 s to complete. The volume was measured using 3D reverse modelling software. A previously
validated scar assessment scale was used to score the scars according to their physical
parameters.
A significant correlation was found between volume and the scar score (Pearson's r=0.627, p<0.001). Linear regression was also statistically significant (p<0.001, R2=0.44). Therefore it was possible to predict the scar score from the measured volume.
This technique could allow monitoring of a patient on treatment, or comparison of
treatments in a research setting. It overcomes previous problems with the measurement
of scar volume as it is quantitatively objective and well-tolerated.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 15, 2006
Accepted:
December 9,
2005
Received:
March 6,
2005
Footnotes
☆This paper was presented at the British Society of Plastic Surgeons 2005 summer scientific meeting and the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery 2005 annual meeting.
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
