Assessing the microcirculation in a burn wound by use of OPS imaging

We report on the use of OPS imaging to visualize the micro circulation in a burn wound. This novel technique produces high quality images of the micro circulation and quantitative analysis of functional capillary density (FCD ) was possible. FCD measured at day 3 following the injury was 11.2 +/-4.6 (n/mm(2); mean +/- SEM). During the initial phase of healing micro circulat ory changes were characterized by a moderate but steady increase of FCD, wh ich showed marked increase beginning from day 12 following the burn (16.6 /-6.9). Maximal FCD measured at day 23 (48.2 +/- 19.7) decreased from this point in time to finally reach 25.2 +/- 10.3 n/mm(2) at the end of observat ion. OPS imaging allows for direct in vivo visualization and quantification of the microcirculation in burned skin. Our results of the use of OPS imag ing in assessing the micro circulation in a burn wound appear promising, an d we hope that this novel technique will allow to improve the knowledge of the dynamics of the microcirculation in the pathophysiology of thermal inju ry.