Videocapillaroscopy in postburn scars: in vivo analysis of the microcirculation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was the evaluation in vivo of the differences between the microcirculatory characteristics of the postburn scar and the healthy skin.


METHODS
Twelve patients with postburn scars were included in the study, evaluating fifteen scar areas and twelve healthy skin areas by means of contact optical probe videocapillaroscopy. The examined areas for each patient were the right and the left upper limb. Capillary density, length and diameter, together with capillary distribution pattern (punctiform, reticular, directional) and the presence of microhaemorrhages and neoangiogenesis were studied.


RESULTS
The results were obtained by two different researchers using the capillaroscope's software. Capillary loop diameter and length, capillary distribution pattern and presence of neoangiogenesis were found to be significantly increased in postburn scars compared with controls. There were also significant differences between hypertrophic tissue in the active phase and the one in the remission phase for capillary diameter and presence of neoangiogenesis.


CONCLUSIONS
Videocapillaroscopy showed "in vivo" a change in local microcirculation architecture using a microscope. Patients with hypertrophic burn scars showed a variety of microcirculatory changes, often clustered in a characteristic pattern of abnormally oriented, dilated capillaries and neoangiogenetic phenomena. This methodology is highly likely to be of value in the assessment and prognostication of burn outcome.
Gangemi
Ezio Nicola
EN
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Traumatological Hospital, Turin, Italy. ezio.nicola@tele2.it
Carnino
Riccardo
R
Stella
Maurizio
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D020678:Microscopic Angioscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult