A Critical Analysis of Measurements Used to Assess and Manage Scars

Abstract

Scars evolve through a maturation stage during which it is necessary to adapt different treatments. To adapt treatments, it is necessary to assess various parameters linked to inflammation. To this end, clinical scar assessments are subjective though reliable, and validation is operator dependent. The Vancouver Scar Scale, Visual Analogic Scale, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, and the Manchester Scale assess different scar characteristics. These scales are interesting, depending on the type of scars, and are easy to use but subject to errors. To use clinical a scale, the raters must be trained. Parameters can also be precisely assessed by technical means, whereby they rate only one parameter, but are more accurate. Some scales are easy to use, have low cost, and can be used for clinical assessment. Others scales are more complex and expensive, and can be used in research or treatment evaluation.