The evolving field of wound measurement techniques: A literature review

Objective. Wound healing is a complex and multifactorial process that requires the involvement of a multidisciplinary approach. Methods of wound measurement have been developed and continually refined with the purpose of ensuring precision in wound measurement and documentation as the primary indicator of healing. This review aims to ascertain the efficacies of current wound area measurement techniques, and to highlight any perceived gaps in the literature so as to develop suggestions for future studies and practice. Methods. Medline, PubMed, CliniKey, and CINAHL were searched using the terms "wound/ulcer measurement techniques," "wound assessment," "digital planimetry," and "structured light." Articles between 2000 and 2014 were selected, and secondary searches were carried out by examining the references of relevant articles. Only papers written in English were included. Results. A universal, standardized method of wound assessment has not been established or proposed. At present, techniques range from the simple to the more complex most of which have characteristics that allow for applicability in both rural and urban settings. Techniques covered are: ruler measurements, acetate tracings/contact planimetry, digital planimetry, and structured light devices. Conclusion. In reviewing the literature, the precision and reliability of digital planimetry over the more conventional methods of ruler measurements and acetate tracings are consistently demonstrated. The advent and utility of the laser or structured light approach, however, is promising, has only been analyzed by a few, and opens up the scope for further evaluation of this technique.