The aim of this study was to test the ex vivo biomechanical properties of acutely expanded cutaneous flaps to quantitatively assess the efficacy of intraoperative tissue expansion. A total of 14 fresh male cadavers were used for the study. In each cadaver, a rectangular(15 x 8 cm), proximally based flap was designed on each side of the body, in three different locations: lateral arm, anterior thorax, anterior thigh. in each cadaver, one randomly selected flap per each body region underwent acute-intermittent expansion, whereas the contralateral flap served as control. The biomechanical properties (stress/strain ratio, mean stiffness) of both expanded and control flaps were then assessed by means of a dynamometer and a force-transducer. The obtained data showed that the biomechanical benefits provided by acute tissue expansion were statistically different (P < 0.05) from those obtained by simple subcutaneous undermining. While no changes of length have been observed in the acutely expanded skin flaps as compared to control cutaneous naps, a statistically significant gain in the compliance of the former has been recorded as compared to the biomechanical behaviour of the latter.
Quantitative benefits provided by acute tissue expansion: a biomechanical study in human cadavers / Raposio, Edoardo; A., Cella; P., Panarese; P., Caregnato; A., Gualdi; P. L., Santi. - In: BRITISH JOURNAL OF PLASTIC SURGERY. - ISSN 0007-1226. - 53:(2000), pp. 220-224. [10.1054/bjps.1999.3222]
Quantitative benefits provided by acute tissue expansion: a biomechanical study in human cadavers.
RAPOSIO, Edoardo;
2000-01-01
Abstract
The aim of this study was to test the ex vivo biomechanical properties of acutely expanded cutaneous flaps to quantitatively assess the efficacy of intraoperative tissue expansion. A total of 14 fresh male cadavers were used for the study. In each cadaver, a rectangular(15 x 8 cm), proximally based flap was designed on each side of the body, in three different locations: lateral arm, anterior thorax, anterior thigh. in each cadaver, one randomly selected flap per each body region underwent acute-intermittent expansion, whereas the contralateral flap served as control. The biomechanical properties (stress/strain ratio, mean stiffness) of both expanded and control flaps were then assessed by means of a dynamometer and a force-transducer. The obtained data showed that the biomechanical benefits provided by acute tissue expansion were statistically different (P < 0.05) from those obtained by simple subcutaneous undermining. While no changes of length have been observed in the acutely expanded skin flaps as compared to control cutaneous naps, a statistically significant gain in the compliance of the former has been recorded as compared to the biomechanical behaviour of the latter.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.