Objective Criteria in Evaluating the Consequences of The Posttraumatic Scars

Abstract

Most of the population has scars which are related to a traumatic event. In current forensic practice, two-dimensional measurement of the scar surface is used to analyze a scar, but for an objective evaluation of the scars, it would be necessary to measure its volume to capture all the characteristics. Moral suffering as a negative consequence of the presence of the scar should also be measured by using psychometric scales to attest the degree of internalization or production of aesthetic damage given that any person suffers from the awareness of unsightly wounds or scars. This article reviews the literature on available tools and existing assessment methods used to objectively and subjectively characterize scars of various etiologists. car assessment devices must be non-invasive, accurate, provide reproducible data, be easy to use to facilitate data collection, and have clinical support. Existing devices can evaluate such parameters as foldability, firmness, color, perfusion, thickness, and, three-dimensional topographies. In this study, we described the main scales that consider the analysis of scars, being represented by aesthetic, observational, and psychometric scales. The psychometric scar scales will objectify the negative consequences of scars, these consequences are felt mainly in the family and professional, without losing sight of the fact that any person suffers from awareness unsightly wounds or scars. The consequences of aesthetic damage have negative effects on the family and profession, but especially on the decrease in self-esteem and self-confidence of individuals with unsightly scars.

The effects of scar in psychological disorder: A bibliometric analysis from 2003 to 2022

“…In the evaluation, patients' attention to scars is evaluated after receiving treatment, while there are few reports on the psychological evaluation of patients 36,52 . In this regard, the scale Mekeres, GM et al reported to assess the psychological condition of burn scar patients could be used for reference 53 . Although improvement in scars is associated with improvement in depression, the extent to which scar therapy improves depression has not been reported.…”

“…36,52 In this regard, the scale Mekeres, GM et al reported to assess the psychological condition of burn scar patients could be used for reference. 53 Although improvement in scars is associated with improvement in depression, the extent to which scar therapy improves depression has not been reported. Therefore, in addition to the treatment of scars, whether other treatments are needed to improve patients' psychopsychological disorders is worth discussing.…”