A guide to choosing a burn scar rating scale for clinical or research use

Introduction

A lack of high quality burn scar rating scales underpins the urgent need to introduce a guide for clinicians and researchers to choose the most appropriate scale for their requirements.

Methods

An updated electronic search of Medline, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases from 2010 to 2011 of a previous published systematic review were used to identify English articles related to burn scar rating scales. The clinimetric properties, content, purpose, characteristics of the subjects tested and feasibility of each scale were critically reviewed.

Results

An additional seven papers were identified by the updated search, bringing the total number of papers reviewed to 36. The majority (88%) covered items pertaining to the physical properties of the skin rated by an observer. All of the scales had been tested for the purpose of discriminating between patient groups; however, only preliminary evidence exists for the ability of the scales to measure change in scar properties over time. The majority of testing of scales occurred using Caucasian subjects, males, upper limb sites and adults.

Conclusions

This paper provides a guide to selecting the most appropriate burn scar rating scale for research and clinical practice by reviewing the content, purpose, test sample characteristics and feasibility of each scale.     

Effect of skin graft thickness on scar development in a porcine burn model

Animal models provide a way to investigate scar therapies in a controlled environment. It is necessary to produce uniform, reproducible scars with high anatomic and biologic similarity to human scars to better evaluate the efficacy of treatment strategies and to develop new treatments. In this study, scar development and maturation were assessed in a porcine full-thickness burn model with immediate excision and split-thickness autograft coverage. Red Duroc pigs were treated with split-thickness autografts of varying thickness: 0.026 in. (“thin”) or 0.058 in. (“thick”). Additionally, the thin skin grafts were meshed and expanded at 1:1.5 or 1:4 to evaluate the role of skin expansion in scar formation. Overall, the burn-excise-autograft model resulted in thick, raised scars. Treatment with thick split-thickness skin grafts resulted in less contraction and reduced scarring as well as improved biomechanics. Thin skin autograft expansion at a 1:4 ratio tended to result in scars that contracted more with increased scar height compared to the 1:1.5 expansion ratio. All treatment groups showed Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1) expression that increased over time and peaked 4 weeks after grafting. Burns treated with thick split-thickness grafts showed decreased expression of pro-inflammatory genes 1 week after grafting, including insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and TGF-β1, compared to wounds treated with thin split-thickness grafts. Overall, the burn-excise-autograft model using split-thickness autograft meshed and expanded to 1:1.5 or 1:4, resulted in thick, raised scars similar in appearance and structure to human hypertrophic scars. This model can be used in future studies to study burn treatment outcomes and new therapies.     

Burns objective scar scale (BOSS): Validation of an objective measurement devices based burn scar scale panel

AimsHypertrophic scars in burn survivors are a major cause of morbidity but the development of evidence based treatments is hampered by the lack of objective measurements of these scars. The objective of our study is to investigate the most accurate parameters for objective scar assessment and to create a combination score to facilitate the use of a panel of objective scar measurement tools.MethodsThree independent assessors evaluated fifty five scar sites on fifty five burn patients with both the subjective modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) and a panel of objective measurement tools including the DSM II Colormeter, Cutometer, Dermascan high frequency ultrasound. The sensitivity and specificity of the objective scar parameters in predicting a mVSS score of 6 or more using the Receiving Operator Characteristic Area under the curve (ROC AUC) was then calculated and the most accurate parameters were combined to create an objective global scar score.ResultsThe ROC AUC values were found to be highest for the Dermascan scar thickness (0.897), dermal intensity and intensity ratio (0.914 and 0.919), Cutometer R0 value (0.942), and R0 ratio (0.944). For colour measurements, ratios of scar to normal skin performed better than the single parameters for both erythema and pigmentation measurements: DSM II Erythema ratio vs Erythema (0.885 vs 0.818), DSM II a* ratio vs a* (0.848 vs 0.741); DSM II Melanin ratio vs Melanin (0.854 vs 0.761), DSM II L* ratio vs L* (0.862 vs 0.767). Analysis of the ROC AUC with chi-square test values showed that the highest AUC (0.786) was obtained with the combination of the Cutometer R0, Dermascan scar thickness, intensity and their respective scar to normal skin ratios. A total score of 5 and above (out of 6 parameters) had the highest combined sensitivity (69.0%) and specificity (83.3%).ConclusionThe objective parameters for the DSM II Colormeter, Cutometer and Dermascan high frequency ultrasound were all found to have moderate to strong ROC AUC values and combination of the Cutometer R0 and Dermascan scar thickness and intensity values can be used to create an objective global scar scale that can accurately differentiate patients with hypertrophic burn scarring from non-hypertrophic scars or normal skin.     

Malignant melanoma in a burn scar

Cancers of various sorts are occasionally encountered in burn scars. These lesions are usually squamous cell carcinomas, and the burn scars are usually old. Very rarely, malignant melanoma is encountered. An 87-year-old nursing home patient who had been burned by a lightening strike at age 16 was evaluated. She had sustained a wound covering 2% or 3% of her body surface involving her neck and the upper portion of her anterior trunk that had required several grafts. A lesion was noted over the suprasternal notch approximately 3 months before admission. The biopsy was reported as malignant melanoma. She was subsequently treated by wide reexcision with an associated Z-plasty for neck release. Because of the patient's age and the presence of four areas of regional lymph nodes nearby into which metastasis might spread, no lymph node dissections were carried out. The specimen from the reexcision was reported as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, melanoma in situ, and multinucleated giant cell reaction, acute and chronic infiltrates. The wound margins were clear.     

Reduction of mammaplasty scars: from a short inframammary scar to a vertical scar]

A better understanding of the vascular anatomy of the breast has drastically reduced the risk of postoperative necrosis in breast reduction. Scars however remain a major concern, and techniques to reduce these have often been considered to be less satisfactory in terms of the shape and stability of the result. Our experience with more than 1,000 breasts operated on between 1984 and 1989 with a short inframammary scar technique has proved the contrary. The next step was to eliminate the inframammary scar, as proposed by Lassus, and to leave just a periareolar scar and a lower vertical scar which does not cross the inframammary fold. One hundred and four breasts, in sixty four patients--17 to 60 years old--have been operated on according to this vertical technique between April and September 1989. Twenty seven cases of ptosis correction in seventeen patients, and seventy seven reductions in forty seven patients, with a median excision weight of 460g, have been performed. By means of an individualized preoperative drawing and several technical devices, the results have proved that vertical mammaplasty is an excellent technique particularly indicated for women with elastic skin and a firm gland. Recent experience with liposuction at the beginning of the operation, has given new possibilities for breast modelling. In fatty juvenile hypertrophies, liposuction alone may even be adequate to reduce the volume, retaining a satisfactory shape for the breast with minimal scarring.     

The hypertrophic scar: Location of glycosaminoglycans within scars

Parallel chemical and histochemical studies were made on several hypertrophic scars in order to identify the localization of the elevated chondroitin-4-sulphate found in hypertrophic scars. For chemical and electrophoretic studies, the nodular areas were dissected from the rest of the scar and studied separately using electrophoretic methods of separation with and without chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase ABC. For histochemistry, glycosaminoglycan-specific stains were used before and after use of hyaluronidase, chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase ABC.In active hypertrophic scars the histochemical studies indicated that either chondroitin-4-sulphate or chondroitin-6-sulphate was localized in the nodular area. Electrophoretic studies indicated that chondroitin-6-sulphate was not present to an appreciable extent and that the nodular areas were much higher in chondroitin-4-sulphate. Hypertrophic scars undergoing maturation had lesser amounts of chondroitin-4-sulphate, but the nodular areas were higher in this glycosaminoglycan than was the respective total scar. One scar which was most mature, by histological examination, had essentially the same chondroitin-4-sulphate levels in both nodular areas and total scar tissue areas.These results suggest that the nodular regions are the actively proliferating areas in hypertrophic scars and that the presence of chondroitin-4-sulphate is related to this proliferation.     

Pedicled free flap for burn scar contracture of a hand

 The treatment of a severe post-burn contracture of the left hand is presented. A free scapular flap was transplanted to the inguinal area and then used to release the contracture in the manner of a pedicled groin flap. The advantages of this method are that it can be utilized regardless of the condition of the recipient site, and the major vessels of the hand remain intact. Received: 25 February 1997 / Accepted: 18 April 1997     

Silicone gel: a new treatment for burn scars and contractures

A new method of treatment for burn scar management is outlined using silicone gel sheets (Spenco Corporation MD-3071). The method has been applied to 42 patients with burns of varying degree and maturity. The results have been successful in all cases. The mode of action of the gel is unknown, but it does not rely on pressure. The method can easily be tailored to the individual needs of the scar and the patient. Individual initiative and a flexible approach to its use are advocated.     

Effect of intense pulsed light on immature burn scars: A clinical study

Introduction:

As intense pulsed light (IPL) is widely used to treat cutaneous vascular malformations and also used as non-ablative skin rejunuvation to remodel the skin collagen. A study has been undertaken to gauze the effect of IPL on immature burn scars with regard to vascularity, pliability and height.

Materials and Methods:

This study was conducted between June 2013 and May 2014, among patients with immature burn scars that healed conservatively within 2 months. Photographic evidence of appearance of scars and grading and rating was done with Vancouver Scar Scale parameters. Ratings were done for both case and control scar after the completion of four IPL treatment sessions and were compared.

Results:

Out of the 19 cases, vascularity, pliability and height improved significantly (P < 0.05) in 13, 14 and 11 scars respectively following IPL treatment.

Conclusions:

Intense pulsed light was well-tolerated by patients, caused good improvement in terms of vascularity, pliability, and height of immature burn scar.KEY WORDS: Burn scar, intense pulse light, vancouver scar scale     

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma developing in a burn scar

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) which is usually originated from muscles and deep fascia and rarely from the subcutaneous tissue is the most common soft tissue sarcoma; and it frequently invades the extremities. Occurrence of this tumor on a burn scar of scalp is a very rare entity. In the literature, there were only four reported malign fibrous histiocytoma cases that originated from a burn scar but none of them was at the scalp region. A female patient complaining about a painful mass at the scalp region was admitted to our clinic twenty years after burning with hot water when she was 3 years old. Pathological and clinical features of this rapidly growing malignant fibrous histiocytoma were similar with the other cases reported before. After the diagnosis was clear as a pleomorphic storiform type of MFH, a wide tumor excision was done because of the high risk of local recurrence.     

Effects of silicone gel on burn scars

Aim

To study the efficacy of silicone gel applied to hypertrophic burn scars, in reducing scar interference with normal function and improving cosmesis.

Methods

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 38 people with hypertrophic burn scars. Each scar was divided into two segments; silicone gel sheet was applied randomly to one of the two and placebo to the other. Participants were seen again after 1 and 4 months. Their data and wound characteristics were collected using the Vancouver scar scale.

Results

The median age of participants was 22 years (1.5–60 years) and 16 were male; 4 did not attend follow-up and were excluded from the study. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. Although after 1 month all scar scale measures were lower in treated areas, only the vascularity scale was significantly different between the two areas. After 4 months, all scale measures were significantly lower in the silicone gel group than in the control group, except for the pain score.

Conclusion

Silicone gel is an effective treatment for hypertrophic burn scars.     

A retrospective review of burn dressings on a porcine burn model

This is a study to compare wound healing among three types of dressings on a porcine model with deep-dermal-partial-thickness burns. The burns in this study were from eight animal trials conducted in the past for other purposes and only burns with a uniform pale appearance that had served as controls in original experiments were selected. In total, there were 57 burns in 33 pigs, using one of following three dressings: Acticoat (Silver) (3 trials), Jelonet (Gauze) (3 trials), and Solosite Gel/Jelonet (Gel/Gauze) (2 trials). The wound healing assessments included wound re-epithelialisation during a 6-week period, clinical and histological scar assessments at week 6 after burn. Of all wound healing/scar assessments, only re-epithelialisation showed statistical difference between dressings. Earlier re-epithelialisation was observed in Gel/Gauze dressings compared to Silver and/or Gauze dressings. However, this study revealed huge variation in wound healing outcome between 3 trials within both Silver and/or Gauze dressings, supported by significant differences on re-epithelialisation, clinical and histological scar measurements. In addition, it was found that larger animals healed better than smaller ones, based on weights from 21 pigs. Of all dressings, Silver delivers the best protection for wound colonization/infection. Wound colonization/infection was found to confine wound healing and lead to thinner RND in scars. From this study, we cannot find enough evidence to suggest the beneficial effect of one dressing(s) over others on burn wound healing outcome on a porcine model with small deep-dermal-partial-thickness burns with a relative small sample size.     

手部烧伤后瘢痕挛缩的发病机制分析

目的:通过对SKP-2及PTEN的免疫组化变化来分析手部烧伤后瘢痕挛缩的发病机制.方法:选择2009年7月～ 2011年12月因手部烧伤后瘢痕挛缩在我院住院的患者58例(增生性瘢痕41例,瘢痕疙瘩17例)和非挛缩瘢痕皮肤组织患者30例,采用免疫组化检测三组的SKP-2及PTEN表达情况,并且进行相关性分析.结果:瘢痕疙瘩和增生性瘢痕的SKP-2表达的平均光密度值也明显高于非挛缩瘢痕组织(P＜0.05).瘢痕疙瘩和增生性瘢痕的PTEN表达的平均光密度值也明显少于非挛缩瘢痕组织(P＜0.05).不同组织中SKP-2和PTEN表达呈现负相关.结论:手部烧伤后瘢痕挛缩在临床上比较常见,SKP-2和PTEN蛋白共同参与了瘢痕挛缩发生、发展过程,而且互为影响,从而有可能为瘢痕挛缩的治疗提供新的思路.     

人工真皮模板在烧伤瘢痕整复中的应用

目的介绍一种应用人工真皮模板+自体大张表层皮片或表皮片移植修复瘢痕畸形的方法。方法于瘢痕挛缩部位进行松解或切除后的创面上,将人工真皮模板铺平、固定,纳米纱布覆盖,术后无排异反应。2~4周后,除去人工真皮模板的表层薄膜,仔细清理修整创面,用电动或气动取皮机切取自体大张表层皮片或表皮片,覆盖固定。结果1999年8月至2003年6月共用于15例19个部位,其中躯干5例次,肢体14例次。瘢痕切除后创面面积为10cm×25cm至30cm×75cm,移植大张极薄的自体表层皮片或表皮片,全部存活。随访半年至4年,皮肤色泽、弹性良好,平坦、光滑,未见继发性挛缩,功能基本恢复,供区无瘢痕,有轻度色素脱失或沉着。结论人工真皮模板+大张表层皮片或表皮片移植是治疗瘢痕或瘢痕挛缩的有效方法之一,而且后者效果更好,供区无明显痕迹。     

A systematic review of the quality of burn scar rating scales for clinical and research use

Introduction

Scar rating scales have the potential to contribute to better evaluation of scar properties in both research and clinical settings. Despite a large number of scars assessment scales being available, there is limited information regarding the clinimetric properties of many of these scales. The purpose of the review was to inform clinical and research practice by determining the quality and appropriateness of existing scales. This review summarises the available evidence for the clinimetric properties of reliability, validity (including responsiveness), interpretability and feasibility of existing scales.

Methods

Electronic searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library databases from 1990 onwards were used to identify English articles related to burn scar assessment scales. Scales were critically reviewed for clinimetric properties that were reported in, but not necessarily the focus of studies.

Results

A total of 29 studies provided data for 18 different scar rating scales. Most scar rating scales assessed vascularity, pliability, height and thickness. Some scales contained additional items such as itch. Only the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) received a high quality rating but only in the area of reliability for total scores and the subscale vascularity. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) received indeterminate ratings for construct validity, reliability and responsiveness. Where evidence was available, all other criteria for the POSAS, VSS and the remaining 17 scales received an indeterminate rating due to methodological issues, or a low quality rating. Poorly defined hypotheses limited the ability to give a high quality rating to data pertaining to construct validity, responsiveness and interpretability. No scale had empirical testing of content validity and no scale was of sufficient quality to consider criterion validity.

Conclusions

The POSAS, with high quality reliability but indeterminate validity, was considered to be superior in performance based on existing evidence. The VSS had the most thorough review of clnimetrics although available data received indeterminate quality ratings. On the basis of the evidence, the use of total scores has not been supported, nor has the measurement of pigmentation using a categorical scale.