A Microscopic and Biomechanical Study of Skin and Soft Tissue After Repeated Expansion

BACKGROUND Conventional expansion inadequately restores damaged skin for patients with large areas of skin deficiency or who lack sources of normal skin. These patients require repeated skin expansions, but little is known about the outcomes of this procedure. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the microscopic c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dermatologic surgery 2009-01, Vol.35 (1), p.72-79
Main Authors: HUO, RAN, YANG, WANG, SHANGBIN, LI, TINGTING, LENG, YANG, ZHAO, FENG, GAO, QINGPING, YU, WENHAO, ZHANG
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomechanical Phenomena
Fibroblast Growth Factors - analysis
Microscopy, Electron
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods
Skin - chemistry
Skin - cytology
Skin - ultrastructure
Stress, Mechanical
Swine
Tissue Expansion
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Summary:BACKGROUND Conventional expansion inadequately restores damaged skin for patients with large areas of skin deficiency or who lack sources of normal skin. These patients require repeated skin expansions, but little is known about the outcomes of this procedure. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the microscopic changes and biomechanical properties of skin and soft tissue after repeated expansion. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prepared three groups of six pigs each: a conventional expansion group, a repeated expansion group, and a blank nonsurgical control group. We measured histology, ultrastructure, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), stress–strain, stress relaxation, and stress strength. RESULTS Skin obtained after conventional expansion and repeated expansion was basically healthy, but the microscopic and biomechanical properties differed from those of nonexpanded skin, especially in the repeated expansion group. CONCLUSION Repeated skin expansion involves growth under stress, simultaneous injuries, and further repairs, with fibers showing more injury signs than cells. This article describes the microscopic changes and biomechanical properties that occur after repeated expansion.
ISSN:1076-0512
1524-4725
DOI:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2008.34385.x