Objective and quantitative evaluation of scar color using the L*a*b* color coordinates.
Scar color evaluation by clinical physicians has been based on subjective judgments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of a novel photographic analysis to produce an objective and quantitative measurement of scar color using the L*a*b* color coordinates. Three plastic surgeons evaluated photos of 207 scars using the clinical scar assessment scale developed by Beausang et al. Scar color was subjectively classified as group 1 (perfect match), 2 (slight mismatch), 3 (obvious mismatch), or 4 (gross mismatch). Three general physicians quantified color differences between the scar and the surrounding normal skin using the L*a*b* color coordinates. The total color difference (DeltaT*) and the color differences for each coordinate (DeltaL*, Deltaa*, and Deltab*) were calculated. The measurement was performed 3 times with a 4-week interval. Group 1 contained 51 scars, group 2 had 68, group 3 had 46, and group 4 had 42. The mean (SD) total color difference values (DeltaT*) for each group were 4.4 (1.83), 9.55 (2.18), 17.76 (2.96), and 29.06 (9.45), respectively (P < 0.001). The mean of each color coordinate (DeltaL* = light to dark, and Deltaa* = green to red) also differed between the groups, except in groups 1 and 2. The mean Deltab* (blue to yellow) did not differ between the groups. The correlation coefficients for interrater reliability and test-retest consistency were satisfactory. Objective scar evaluation using the L*a*b* color coordinates is found to be a reliable method to quantify scar color. With further study, this method could be simple and effective to assess the effects of scar management.
Cheon
Young Woo
YW
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Won Jai
WJ
Rah
Dong Kyun
DK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology*; D003116:Color / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results