Repeatability and clinical utility in stereophotogrammetric measurements of wounds.

Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that stereophotogrammetric wound size monitoring shows suitable inter-observer reliability and user acceptance for clinical practice use.
Method: Veterans admitted for conservative management of severe pressure ulcers were eligible for inclusion in the study. Three-dimensional (3D) digital wound images were independently captured by two expert and two non-expert nurse-observers using a commercially available stereophotogrammetry system,weekly for 6 weeks.A double-blinded analyst generated 3D wound reconstructions, using software to determine geometry. Clinical opinion of wound progression was provided by an expert physician.
Results: Thirteen wounds were assessed with more than 80% of all images being readable. Interclass correlation of 0.9867 (p < 0.000 I) was observed. Compared with clinical opinion, 3D wound measurement was sensitive between improving and static wounds for wound perimeter, volume, depth and length.
Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest that 3D wound measurement minimises differences in wound measurement between expert and non-expert observers, suggesting it could be implemented with high reliability in health-care settings where several observers are involved in wound care management.