Etiology of decubitus ulcers using an animal model - a comparison of blood flow measurement method between point analysis and two-dimensional analysis

The purpose of this study has been to clarify the effect of sustained compression on skin surface blood flow at the edema stage and flare in the initial phase of decubitus ulcer formation with the use of rabbit ears. Experimental protocol is compared between point analysis and two-dimensional analysis. For the point analysis, a laser Doppler perfusion monitoring probe is contacted with the skin surface continuously. For two-dimensional analysis, the scanning probe is not contacted with skin. The experimental phases are divided as follows: 1) initial (pre-compression), 2) edema, 3) compression and 4) release from compression. For the the point analysis, the blood flow rate has been measured continuously on a point from the initial phase to release from the compression phase. When the two protocols were compared, similar blood flow changes were observed. From results of two-dimensional analysis, during the compression phase and during release from compression, the blood flow rate in the peripheral part of the compressed area was found to change proportionately to the applied compressive load.