Use of a 3-D imaging technique for non-invasive monitoring of the depth of experimentally induced wounds.
OBJECTIVE
Experimental studies of wound healing lack methods for standardized wounding and in situ depth assessment. Consequently, in this pilot study, an Erbium (Er):YAG laser has been used for wound induction with a non-invasive 3-D imaging technique as an alternative to histology.


METHODS
Erbium:YAG ablation of human skin ex vivo was performed with total fluences of 10, 50 and 200 J/cm(2), removing the stratum corneum, epidermis/papillary dermis and deeper dermis, respectively. Wound depth was measured with the 3-D method and histologically.


RESULTS
Wound depth was proportional to fluence for both techniques : 3-D, 17.7+/-1.7, 43.9+/-16 and 245.2+/-61 microm; histology, 14.6+/-1.7, 50.6+/-11.6 and 238+/-102 microm, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The 3-D technique compares well with and is an improvement on histological measurement, providing true wound depth measurement, avoiding shape changes inherent with histology. Furthermore, the Er:YAG laser is a highly appropriate means of wound induction due to its rapidity and precision.
Ferraq
Y
Y
Skin Research Centre, Pierre Fabre Research Institute, Toulouse, France.
Black
D
D
Lagarde
J M
JM
Schmitt
A M
AM
Dahan
S
S
Grolleau
J L
JL
Mordon
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D020405:Dermis / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014945:Wound Healing