Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · Feb 2017
Reliability of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and a 4-point scale in evaluating linear facial surgical scars.
In order to evaluate and improve aesthetic outcome for patients undergoing dermatological surgery, a reliable evaluation tool must be used. The 4-point scale and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) were both developed for this purpose. ⋯ In terms of reliability, the overall opinion and the 4-point scale were superior to the total POSAS score or the sub-items. Observers do not weight individual scar characteristics equally to arrive at an overall opinion, which challenges the assumption that calculating a total POSAS score by summing of the scores on the individual items is a valid approach.