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Correspondence and Brief Communications |

The Use of Laser Doppler Imaging in Measuring Wound-Healing Progress

Stijn I. Blot, RN, MA; Stan J. Monstrey, MD, PhD
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Arch Surg. 2001;136(1):116-116. doi:
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We read with interest the article by Robson et al,1 who developed trajectories to evaluate wound healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. The authors point out that measuring outcome in wound healing is difficult because of the absence of objective criteria to evaluate the healing process before total wound healing has taken place. Particularly in slowly healing wounds, this is recognized as a major problem in evaluating outcome because 100% wound closure cannot always be achieved within an acceptable period of time in all study patients.

For several years we have investigated the beneficial effects of polarized light on burn wounds that are difficult to heal.2 At this time, progression in wound healing is measured by laser Doppler imaging. This technique uses the Doppler effect to assess blood movement in the microvasculature of tissue. It monitors perfusion throughout the dermis and just beyond.3 High flux indicates a favorable prognosis for wound healing, whereas low flux predicts difficult or impossible spontaneous wound closure. In this way, at the time of study entry, patients can be divided into groups according to depth and surface of injury.

We believe that the pathophysiology and type of injuries associated with burns are not comparable with those of diabetic ulcers. Nevertheless, we are convinced that laser Doppler imaging can provide objective information on wound-healing progress in burns. Tissue perfusion may indicate progression or worsening of the healing status in every wound.

REFERENCES

Robson  MC, Hill  DP, Woodske  ME, Steed  DL. Wound healing trajectories as predictors of effectiveness of therapeutic agents. Arch Surg. 2000;135773- 777
Depuydt  K, Monstrey  S, Van Landuyt  K, Blondeel  PH, Hoeksema  H, Matton  G. The use of polarised light in the treatment of severely burned patients [abstract].  Presented at: 10th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Plastic Surgeons May 22, 1999 Madrid, SpainAbstract 117-118
Niazi  ZB, Essex  TJ, Papini  R, Scott  D, McLean  NR, Black  MJ. New laser Doppler scanner: a valuable adjunct in burn depth assessment. Burns. 1993;19485- 489

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Robson  MC, Hill  DP, Woodske  ME, Steed  DL. Wound healing trajectories as predictors of effectiveness of therapeutic agents. Arch Surg. 2000;135773- 777
Depuydt  K, Monstrey  S, Van Landuyt  K, Blondeel  PH, Hoeksema  H, Matton  G. The use of polarised light in the treatment of severely burned patients [abstract].  Presented at: 10th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Plastic Surgeons May 22, 1999 Madrid, SpainAbstract 117-118
Niazi  ZB, Essex  TJ, Papini  R, Scott  D, McLean  NR, Black  MJ. New laser Doppler scanner: a valuable adjunct in burn depth assessment. Burns. 1993;19485- 489

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