Current and Emerging Options for Documenting Scars and Evaluating Therapeutic Progress.

BACKGROUND Current studies on pathological scarring often rely on subjective means. The identification and implementation of objective documentation standards are of high priority. OBJECTIVE To identify, describe, and evaluate current and upcoming options for objective scar documentation. METHODS The authors analyzed imaging options (ultrasound, PRIMOS, and optical coherence tomography) and scales/ questionnaires (Visual Analog Scale, Vancouver Scar Scale, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, and Dermatology Life Quality Index) based on the existing literature and described their application for scar documentation. RESULTS A variety of capable options for the documentation of scars are available. None of these, however, seem suitable as a stand-alone tool for scar documentation. CONCLUSION A combination of objective imaging tools in combination with questionnaires and scar scales may be warranted to achieve comprehensive documentation during everyday clinical work and in regard to a higher level of evidence in future research.