Creating Benchmark of Color Skin Viability Based on Digital Photograph Using Mini Mobile Medical Photo Studio Prototype

Background: This study is aimed to set a benchmark of skin color and texture index based on digital photographs for living and nonliving skin. Materials and methods: Photography was taken with standardized camera inside a Mini Mobile Medical Photo Studio (MiniMoPS) prototype. A pilot analysis was conducted by comparing color and surface texture of 16 living and cadaveric skins each. Baseline data of viable and nonviable skin were obtained and analyzed using ImageJ software for its color tone, components, and texture index. Results were expressed as total digital number (TDN). Results: MiniMoPS prototype consists of a dusty white foldable acrylic box, blue Pantone 635C background, and two 8-Watt light bulbs on the ceiling. The whole box is covered with a thick white cotton fabric to eliminate the influence of environmental light. The prototype was tested for its light intensity with David Quiles Lightmeter in various environments setting. It showed a constant result for skin photographs. The best probable cutoff point for skin color is TDN 138.1 (sensitivity 81.3%; specificity 100%). Cadaveric skin shows a higher texture digital number than living skin ([155.4 ± 25.0] versus 120 [80-135]; P = 0.001). Conclusions: In regards of color, TDN >138 is a cutoff point for nonliving skin. Texture index 120 is a benchmark for living skin, whereas nonliving skin indicates 155.