Quantitative Evaluation of Maceration in Venous Leg Ulcers by Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) Measurement

Abstract

Skin maceration is a clinical manifestation in venous leg ulcers that leads to severe consequences for patients' quality of life and wound management. The aim of this study was to explore the use of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurement technique to quantify different level of surrounding skin maceration in patients with venous leg ulcers. A total of 50 patients were recruited and TEWL measurements were taken with a portable device on different locations surrounding the leg ulcer and on control skin. A clinical score for maceration was used and correlated to the involvement of surrounding skin. Statistically significant differences of TEWL values were noted between affected skin and control site (P < .001). Statistics showed an increase in TEWL values as the maceration clinical score increased (r = 0.954). Objective monitoring of skin maceration in venous leg ulcer with TEWL measurement represents an useful tool to analyze morphologic changes at different time points during treatment.

Keywords: skin barrier; transepidermal water loss; venous ulcer; wound healing.