2014 Volume 5 Issue 1 Pages 16-21
It is often difficult to determine the depth of burns correctly. In this study, we prepared models of superficial dermal burns (SDB) and deep dermal burns (DDB) in rats, determined the burn depth by using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG), and examined whether or not we could distinguish between SDB and DDB.
Male Wistar rats aged 10 weeks were used and burns were created by the hot water method. Models of SDB and DDB were defined based on examination of specimens stained with hematoxylin-eosin. In these burn models, blood flow was measured over time using LSFG.
Since LSFG measurements are relative values, the ratio of blood flow in the burned skin to that in the normal skin was calculated. This blood flow ratio determined by LSFG showed a significant difference between SDB and DDB.
LSFG could be a useful method for the evaluation of wound blood flow in patients with burns.
