Reduction of Scarring With Electrical Stimulation
Reduction of Scarring With Electrical Stimulation
Digital photographs were obtained to monitor the appearance of the scar. The scars were also clinically evaluated at each appointment using the Manchester Scar Scale, which assesses the color, contour, distortion, texture, and whether the scar has a matte or shiny appearance. Each of these criteria score from 1 to 4 and a combined total score ranges from 5 to 18, with 18 being the most severe.
The patient's subjective rating of their pain and pruritus were obtained at each visit using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). A score of 0 indicates no pain or pruritus and a score of 10 indicates the worst pain or pruritus. It was also recorded whether these symptoms were constant or intermittent.
Noninvasive imaging techniques were also used at various time points throughout the patients treatment on the same scar site each time, using spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis and FLPI.
Spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy) (Astron Clinica Ltd, Cambridge, UK) is a noninvasive scanning technique that analyzes light reflected from the skin. Numerical values for the pigmentary status—hemoglobin, melanin, and collagen—in the first 2 mm of the skin are provided for quantitative analysis.
The software provides high-resolution maps of various components of the skin, such as the concentration and location of melanin in the papillary dermis and epidermis, also the concentration of blood and collagen in the papillary dermis. The light-based technology probe, which is 11 mm in diameter, was placed on the same scar site for each patient at each visit.
The measure of blood flow in the cutaneous scar tissue is linked to the vascularization present. Full-field laser perfusion imaging (Speckle Contrast Imager-1, Moor Instruments Ltd, Axminster, UK) was used to obtain quantitative values for the blood flow present in the scar at each visit. The FLPI was positioned perpendicular at a set distance from the scar site and the focus was adjusted to incorporate the specific scar area. Images were produced of the blood flow in the microvessels in the surface layer of the tissue. Ten consecutive images were obtained over a period of 10 seconds, and the average blood flow was calculated when analyzing the images using the software (version 3.0). The perfusion unit is expressed as "flux."
Assessment Tools
Manchester Scar Scale
Digital photographs were obtained to monitor the appearance of the scar. The scars were also clinically evaluated at each appointment using the Manchester Scar Scale, which assesses the color, contour, distortion, texture, and whether the scar has a matte or shiny appearance. Each of these criteria score from 1 to 4 and a combined total score ranges from 5 to 18, with 18 being the most severe.
Numerical Rating Scale
The patient's subjective rating of their pain and pruritus were obtained at each visit using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). A score of 0 indicates no pain or pruritus and a score of 10 indicates the worst pain or pruritus. It was also recorded whether these symptoms were constant or intermittent.
Noninvasive imaging techniques were also used at various time points throughout the patients treatment on the same scar site each time, using spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis and FLPI.
Spectrophotometric Intracutaneous Analysis
Spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy) (Astron Clinica Ltd, Cambridge, UK) is a noninvasive scanning technique that analyzes light reflected from the skin. Numerical values for the pigmentary status—hemoglobin, melanin, and collagen—in the first 2 mm of the skin are provided for quantitative analysis.
The software provides high-resolution maps of various components of the skin, such as the concentration and location of melanin in the papillary dermis and epidermis, also the concentration of blood and collagen in the papillary dermis. The light-based technology probe, which is 11 mm in diameter, was placed on the same scar site for each patient at each visit.
Full-field Laser Perfusion Imaging
The measure of blood flow in the cutaneous scar tissue is linked to the vascularization present. Full-field laser perfusion imaging (Speckle Contrast Imager-1, Moor Instruments Ltd, Axminster, UK) was used to obtain quantitative values for the blood flow present in the scar at each visit. The FLPI was positioned perpendicular at a set distance from the scar site and the focus was adjusted to incorporate the specific scar area. Images were produced of the blood flow in the microvessels in the surface layer of the tissue. Ten consecutive images were obtained over a period of 10 seconds, and the average blood flow was calculated when analyzing the images using the software (version 3.0). The perfusion unit is expressed as "flux."
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