A METHOD OF RECORDING AND OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF HYPERTROPHIC BURN SCARS

A technique for recording the shape and size of hypertrophic burns sca rs during conservative treatment is described. This technique is extre mely useful not only for an objective assessment of the healing proces s but also as an adjunctive research method for comparing two or more differing techniques of treatment. After taking a negative impression of the scar using dental impression material, a positive cast model of the scar is made, which is a three-dimensional copy of the scar. Thes e cast models can be easily obtained and are very precise. The represe nt the height, size and general appearance of the scar, so that by tak ing positive impression models at regular intervals, and combining the m with photographic and tonometric evaluations, they help in the evalu ation of conservative treatment or in studying the mode of action of t reatment.