A clinical research: blood perfusion of artificial dermis detected by laser speckle contrast imaging influence the therapeutic effect on wound healing

We aimed to assess blood flow perfusion in wounds using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) technology and evaluate the influence of artificial dermis vascularization on wound healing. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 27 patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between January 2022 and April 2024. Based on the distribution of speckle flow index (SFI) variation rate measured by LSCI in the wound area 1 day before skin grafting, patients were classified into three groups: low SFI variation rate group, medium SFI variation rate group and high SFI variation rate group, which were labeled as Group L (9 patients), Group M (10 patients), and Group H (8 patients). We compared the SFI variation rate on the 5th and 7th days post-grafting, vascularization time of artificial dermis (VTAD), hospital stay duration, skin graft survival rate on the 7th day post-grafting, and the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score at 3rd month postoperatively among the three groups. (1) SFI variation rate: On the 5th day post-grafting, the SFI variation rate were significantly lower in Groups M and H compared to Group L; similarly, on the 7th day, Groups M and H showed lower SFI variation rate than Group L. (2) VTAD: VTAD was shorter in Groups L and M compared to Group H. (3) Wound Healing Time Post-grafting: The healing times were shorter in Groups M and H compared to Group L. (4) Hospital Stay Duration: The durations were shorter in Groups M and H compared to Group L. (5) Skin Graft Survival Rate on the 7th Day Post-Grafting: The survival rates were higher in Groups M and H compared to Group L. (6) VSS Score at 3rd Month Postoperatively: Group M demonstrated significantly lower VSS scores than Group L. LSCI-based evaluation of artificial dermis vascularization may provide objective data to assist in determining the optimal timing of surgical interventions, including autologous skin grafting, though further clinical validation is required.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.