Photographic assessment of burn wounds: a simple strategy in a resource-poor setting.
OBJECTIVE
To validate the use of photographic burn wound assessment in evaluation of burn size and wound characteristics.


METHODS
Feasibility study of agreement between methods of measurement of burn size and characteristics, in patients admitted to the burn unit at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Malawi, over two months in 2011. Burn wounds were photographed and assessed clinically, concurrently, by an experienced clinician. Photographs reviewed by two blinded burn clinicians after 4-6 weeks. Correlation between clinical assessment and photographic evaluation was calculated using kappa score and Pearson's correlation coefficient.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine patients were included in evaluation of TBSA, and fifty wounds assessed for their characteristics. Pearson's correlation coefficient for agreement of TBSA between clinical exam and photograph review by expert#1, and #2, was 0.96, 0.93 (p<0.001), respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficients comparing expert#1 and #2 to the gold standard were: proportion of full-thickness burn (0.88 and 0.81, p<0.001), and epithelialized superficial burn (0.89 and 0.55, p<0.001). Kappa scores were significant for wound evolution (expert#1 0.57, expert#2 0.64, p<0.001), and prognosis (expert#1 0.80, expert#2 0.80, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Burn assessment with digital photography is a valid and affordable alternative to direct clinical exam, alleviating access issues to burn care in developing countries.
Department of Surgery, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Michelle
M
Kiser
Gustaf
G
Beijer
Stephen
S
Mjuweni
Arturo
A
Muyco
Bruce
B
Cairns
Anthony
A
Charles
D000293:Adolescent; D002056:Burns / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography