Laser Doppler Imaging prediction of burn wound outcome in children: is it possible before 48 h?
BACKGROUND
Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI) assists in prediction burn wound outcome. Previous data has validated this technique in children between 48 and 72 h after burn.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ability of Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI) to predict burn wound outcome in paediatric patients prior to and after 48 h from the time of injury.


METHODS
A prospective evaluation was performed in 400 children over a 12-month period that presented to our burns clinic. Patients were divided into two groups: those that presented within 48 h of injury (n=160) and those that presented after 48 h (n=240). Patients were reviewed until healing had occurred or operative intervention was required.


RESULTS
The median age of the patients was 2.4 years (range 0.1-15.9 years). For patients who presented within 48 h, the sensitivity and specificity of the LDI was 78% and 74% respectively compared to 75% and 85% for those scanned after 48 h. This difference was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
LDI predicted burn wound outcome in children within 48 h of the burn wound. Moderate degrees of movement, infection, whether first aid was administered and type of dressing did not impact on the accuracy of LDI.
Nguyen
Khanh
K
Department of Academic Surgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
Ward
Diane
D
Lam
Lawrence
L
Holland
Andrew J A
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002056:Burns / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing