Quantification of functional results after facial burns by the faciometer (R)

In the present study the faciometer(R) is introduced in order to quantify t he ranges of mimic movements observed after surgical treatment of facial bu rns. This instrument which consists of calipers and an electronic display w as introduced in 1994 in order to measure the extent of facial palsy during reconstructive procedures. The study group consisted of 23 patients, who h ad been operated on for facial burns. The distances between standardised st able and moving points in the face were determined after mimic movements su ch as lifting of the eyebrows, maximum showing of the teeth and pursing of the lips. These distances were expressed as a percentage of the distance at rest. For comparison the scars were classified according to the Vancouver Scar Scale. In all patients the functional results after burn trauma in the face and, in some cases, asymmetries at rest could be objectified. Dependi ng upon the severity of scarring, the distance between tragus and mouth was shortened between 0 and 19% after maximal showing of the teeth. In general the mouth region showed more functional deficits than the forehead. Compar ing different manners of treatment, it could be objectively demonstrated th at the results after deep burns requiring skin grafts were worse than those observed after more superficial lesions and other methods of coverage. The application of keratinocytes to close the burn showed highly variable resu lts. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.