Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · May 2013
Aesthetic evaluation after non-invasive treatment for superficial basal cell carcinoma.
Cosmetic results following non-invasive treatments are difficult to compare. Although qualified objective scar assessment scales are available, they are not used in dermatological studies. Usually a 4-point scale is used in dermatological scars. The reproducibility of this method has never been evaluated. Moreover, significant specific scar characteristics are lacking. The patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) is a scale qualified for the assessments of surgical scars. It has proven to be as reliable as the widely used Vancouver Scar Scale, but has the advantage that it includes the patient's opinion and specifies different scar characteristics. ⋯ The use of the 4-point scale is a valid method to compare scars of non-invasive dermatological treatments. Supplementary registering vascularity and pigmentation can be useful in future studies.