Simplified method for studying mechanical properties of healing linear skin wounds in the dog

A tensiometric technique was devised for measurements of the breaking and tensile strengths, extensibility, and the energy absorption of healing linear skin wounds in the dog. The tensiometer was inexpensive to construct, mechanically simple to operate, and could be used on the anesthetized animal. Precision of the instrument was evaluated on 30 skin wounds, made on the backs of 8 dogs, 7 days after the surgical procedure. Wounds had a mean breaking strength value of 1.40 kg, mean tensile strength value of 0.80 kg/cm2, mean extensibility value of 6.00 cm, and mean energy absorption value of 2.48 cm-kg/cm3. Results obtained with the tensiometer compared with a statistically rigid system were +/-0.09 (+/- standard error of mean, kg, +/-0.01 kg/cm2, +/-0.28 cm, and +/-0.25 cm-kg/cm3, respectively.