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This issue of WOUNDS focuses on Skin and Wound Measurement and presents research on several methods for tracking wound healing using digital wound measurement software, immunohistochemical analysis, and thermal and stereoscopic wound imaging.

Dini et al investigated the impact of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) as an adjunct to compression therapy and its impact on immunohistochemical expression of tissue biomarkers taken from non-healing venous leg ulcers. The authors reported significant improvement in terms of granulation tissue promotion, angiogenesis, lymphatic vessels, and macrophage and lymphocyte proliferation, compared to controls.

Wendelken et al measured inter- and intrarater reliability of manual wound tracings versus digital photos downloaded and traced digitally with specially designed computer software. The authors found that the digital method for tracing and measuring wounds was more reliable for irregularly shaped wounds versus manual tracing. The ability to digitally archive wound measurements is also an advantage for maintaining accurate medical records.

Mirabella et al employed hemodynamic 3D infrared thermal stereoscopic imaging (TSI) to examine hemodynamic alterations in patients with mixed arterio-venous wounds. The authors prefer this method because it is user-friendly, fast, and costs less than other technologies. This feasibility study suggests the need to develop an interpretative algorithm in order to guide clinicians along the diagnostic path.

Nakagami et al explored a novel method for assessing delayed healing by combining thermographic and ultrasonographic assessments to evaluate 37 patients with Stage I or II pressure ulcers. The authors hypothesized that the combination of ultrasonographic and thermographic assessments would be more useful for predicting the prognosis of pressure ulcers at the time of initial assessment. Despite some limitations, the authors remark that it is noteworthy that these assessment technologies were able to predict which pressure ulcers would heal or not heal after 2 weeks.

I sincerely thank all of the authors for their excellent contributions to this focus issue on Skin and Wound Measurement and hope that WOUNDS readers find this issue to be informative, practical, and enjoyable.