Skin anisotropy: Finding the optimal incision line for volar forearm in males and females

Katarzyna Rosicka, Mathew Hill, Maximilian Wdowski

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    9 Citations (Scopus)
    209 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Purpose: Proper understanding of skin biomechanics, viscoelasticity and investigation of skin tension vectors is necessary to find optimal incision lines. Great tension across a healing wound after any surgical procedure might lead to forming hypertrophic scars. The aim of the study was to investigate tension lines in volar forearm skin in young males and females, in order to ensure best incision line. Methods: Five biomechanical and viscoelastic parameters were measured using a hand-held myotonometer: Oscillation Frequency [Hz], Dynamic Stiffness [N/m], Logarithmic Decrement of tissue's natural oscillation, Mechanical Stress Relaxation Time [ms], and Creep. Measurements were taken in four different directions; Along Forearm, Across Forearm, Along Langer's Line and Across Langer's Line. Results: Significant main effects for direction were found for Oscillation Frequency (p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.371) [Hz], Dynamic Stiffness (p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.522) [N/m], Logarithmic Decrement (p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.083), Mechanical Stress Relaxation Time (p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.494) [ms] and Creep (p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.480). For each parameter except for logarithmic decrement results obtained Along Langers Line and Across Forearm were significantly different to Across Langers Line and Along Forearm (p < 0.001, d = −2.76 – 2.66). Significant main effects for sex were found for logarithmic decrement Along Forearm (p < 0.001, d = 1.698) and Across Langer's Line (p = 0.021, d = 1.697). Conclusions: Our results suggested that optimal incision line for this age group in males and females could potentially be performed diagonally i.e. Across Langer's Line or parallel i.e. Along Forearm to forearm axis. These directions would provide the lowest tension across a healing wound and possibly minimalize the risk of hypertrophic scarring post incision.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number104805
    Number of pages7
    JournalJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
    Volume124
    Early online date28 Aug 2021
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021

    Bibliographical note

    NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 124, (2021) DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104805

    © 2021, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Keywords

    • BEST lines
    • Biomechanical properties
    • Langer's line
    • Scars
    • Viscoelastic properties

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biomaterials
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Mechanics of Materials

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