Burn wound assessment in porcine skin using indocyanine green fluorescence

Background: An accurate assessment of deep dermal burns within the first we ek after burn is still an unresolved clinical problem, Infrared-excited flu orescence of indocyanine green was examined as a method of early determinat ion of burn depth. Methods: Burns of varying depths were placed on the paraspinal region, flan k, and abdomen of swine using a heated brass block. Fluorescence images of the burns were recorded 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours later. Results: The ratio of fluorescence in 64 burn mounds relative to adjacent n ormal tissue identified wounds that healed and did not heal within 21 days with an accuracy of 100%, after accounting for the age of the burn, Higher fluorescence ratios were observed in newly placed burns relative to older b urns having comparable depths. Conclusion: Deep partial-thickness burns were differentiated from deep derm al full-thickness burns in a porcine skin burn model independent of body lo cation. Diagnosis was possible between 1 and 72 hours after injury.