Author/Editor		Kecelj-Leskovec, Nada
Title		Merjenje velikosti venskih golenjih razjed z večlinijskim laserskim merilnikom v primerjavi z računalniško planimetrijo s fotografijo
Type		monografija
Place		Ljubljana
Publisher		Univerza v Ljubljani, Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year		2005
Volume		str. 63
Language		slo
Abstract		Background Venous leg ulcers occur in 0.3% of the adult population in Western Europe. Effective management of these lesions depends on accurate and reliable measurements of wound size. Most measurement methods known today either lack accuracy and reliability or are too complicated for routine daily use. The simpler techniques are mostly two-dimensional, providing estimates of area and perimeter. Aim of study We evaluated a new laser-based method for measuring venous leg ulcers, developed at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana. We wished to determine its accuracy and precision compared to computer planimetry combined with photography. Patients/Methods Eight patients with a total of 15 leg ulcers were studied. The wounds were measured with the new laser-based three-dimensional technique and with computer planimetry combined with photography. The mean clinical precisions were calculated for each measuring method separately. The relative agreements and 95% limits of agreement were calculated between both measuring methods. Results The mean clinical precision for ulcer area and perimeter measurements did not differ significantly between the two methods. The laser-based method had a mean clinical precision of 7.6% for ulcer volume measurements. The comparison of the two methods showed good agreements for perimeter and lack of agreement for area measurements. Discussion During the healing of ulcers, an initial volume decrease is followed by a slower decrease in circumference and area. The change in wound volume is the first indicator of the pattern of healing. The new laser-based technique provides precise measurements of ulcer volume. The lack of agreement for area measurements between the two methods can be explained by the fact that the laser-based method takes into account the convexity of the limb, whereas planimetry with photography does not. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
Descriptors		VARICOSE ULCER LASERS IMAGE PROCESSING, COMPUTER-ASSISTED VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY WOUND HEALING