Freezing for postmortal storage influences the biomechanical properties of linear skin wounds

Specimens for biomechanical investigations are often stored frozen between sampling and testing. Several authors have analysed the effects of freezing on a variety of intact tissues; while some have found mostly minor changes, others have reported no adverse effects. Healing wounds contain more fragile tissue components than other tissues and are therefore more sensitive to possible adverse effects. This study on rat skin wounds (healed for 10 and 20 days) demonstrates that freezing has a significant adverse influence on the mechanical properties. It is concluded that fresh tissue should be used whenever possible. In case storage in a freezer is necessary great care should be taken when designing the experimental protocol.