Leg Volume Measurements with a Modified Optoelectronic Measurement System

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the reproducibility of a modified optoelectronic volume measurement system (the volometer). Design: In the first part of the study healthy volunteers and one investigator were used to evaluate the intraobserver reproducibility; in the second part one healthy volunteer and different investigators were used to evaluate the interobserver reproducibility. Setting: Department of Dermatology, Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastrict, The Netherlands. Patients: Twenty healthy volunteers for the first part of the study; eight doctors and one healthy volunteer for the second part. Main outcome measures: Optoelectronic volume measurements on one leg over a standard distance of 40 cm and over 20 cm with the use of a laser pointer as calibration. A total of eight measurements were performed on each volunteer. The same procedure was performed by different investigators on one volunteer. Results: The modified optoelectronic measurement system with laser pointer calibration showed an improvement of the reproducibility of 27% in the intraobserver study. An improvement of 11% was found in the interobserver study. Conclusions: The modified optoelectronic volume measurement system (the volometer) provides a better reproducibility than the standard system. The instrument can be used for easy and rapid volume measurements in phlebological practice.