[Clinical studies on skin extensibility in humans]

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and biomechanics.
• Biomedical engineering and materials science.

Context:

• Skin extensibility is a critical biomechanical property influencing wound healing and surgical outcomes.
• Understanding age-related changes in skin extensibility is essential for tailoring medical interventions.
• Serial excision is a surgical technique used to manage large skin defects, aiming to minimize tissue tension and improve healing.

Purpose:

• To investigate the relationship between age and skin extensibility at various anatomical sites.
• To evaluate the impact of serial excision on wound retraction, closing tension, and skin extensibility.
• To establish optimal surgical parameters for serial excision, including interval between procedures and excision width.

Summary:

• Skin extensibility was measured in 82 males aged 4 months to 73 years using a BIO-SKIN TENSION METER.
• Infants and toddlers exhibited significantly higher skin extensibility, while individuals over 50 showed no significant difference compared to the 20-29 year-old group.
• Serial excision demonstrated superior outcomes compared to single-stage excision, with reduced wound retraction and closing tension.
• Skin extensibility decreased post-surgery, with recovery observed between 6 to 9 months.
• Specific recommendations for intervals and widths in serial excision were provided for different body sites and age groups, particularly for children.

Impact:

• Provides valuable data on age-related changes in skin biomechanics, informing dermatological and surgical practices.
• Offers evidence-based guidelines for optimizing serial excision techniques, potentially improving patient recovery and aesthetic results.
• Contributes to the understanding of tissue response to surgical manipulation, aiding in the development of advanced wound management strategies.