Skin tears are a common and often times under appreciated wound pathology. Until recently the only classification system for skin tears was the Payne-Martin classification this system is over 20 years old and was refreshed in 1993 from it’s original version presented in 1990. The Skin Tear Audit Research study out of Australia sought to update and standardize the classification of skin tears.

Today we present phase 1 of the classification and it’s methodology for classifying skin tears along with a 2 page condensed version of the classification system with a photo guide.

1. Carville, K., Lewin, G., Newall, N., Haslehurst, P., Michael, R., Santamaria, N., & Roberts, P. (2007). STAR: A consensus for skin tear classification. Primary Intention, 15(1), 18-28.
2. STAR Skin Tear Classification Quick Reference Guide