A critical evaluation of the clinimetrics of laser Doppler as a method of burn assessment in clinical practice.

The estimation of burn depth, which is essential in the management of burns, has traditionally been conducted using clinical evaluation, which has problems of subjectivity. A number of studies have been conducted assessing the use of laser Doppler to estimate burn depth. Some studies have advocated the use of this instrument in clinical practice. However, careful evaluation of many studies to date reveal a lack of standardization among studies and significant methodological problems that affect the validity of the findings in relation to the clinical management of burns. Although many studies suggest that the use of laser Doppler may be a useful adjunct to clinical evaluation, in a climate of evidence-based medicine when strict scientific principles are considered further studies are needed to show the tool to be valid and consistently reliable for the assessment of burns. Until such time, laser Doppler should remain as a research tool.