The Wound Evaluation Scale (WAS) can be used to describe the appearance of a wound after it has healed.
Timing: after the wound has had a chance to heal and reorganize, typically 3 months after the repair.
Parameters:
(1) stepoff border
(2) contour
(3) scar width
(4) edge inversion
(5) inflammation
(6) overall cosmesis
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
stepoff border |
present |
0 |
|
|
absent |
1 |
|
contour |
irregular, puckered |
0 |
|
|
smooth |
1 |
|
scar width |
> 2 mm |
0 |
|
|
<= 2 mm |
1 |
|
edge inversion |
sinking or curling present |
0 |
|
|
absent |
1 |
|
inflammation |
redness or discharge present |
0 |
|
|
absent |
1 |
|
overall cosmesis |
poor |
0 |
|
|
acceptable |
1 |
where:
• A stepoff border would seem to reflect hypertrophic scarring, while an inverted edge would suggest retraction.
• The score could be expanded to include different degrees of change (none, minimal, mild, etc.).
total score =
= SUM(points for all 6 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 6
• The optimal appearance has a score of 6. A score <= 5 is suboptimal.
Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Surgery, general
