Journal
COMPUTERS & STRUCTURES
Volume 143, Issue -, Pages 32-39Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2014.07.004
Keywords
Finite element analysis; Membranes; Transverse isotropy; Skin; Tissue expansion; Reconstructive surgery
Funding
- CONACyT Fellowship
- Stanford Graduate Fellowship
- National Science Foundation CAREER award CMMI [0952021]
- National Science Foundation INSPIRE Grant [1233054]
- National Institutes of Health Grant [U54 GM072970]
- Div Of Civil, Mechanical, & Manufact Inn
- Directorate For Engineering [1233054] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Div Of Civil, Mechanical, & Manufact Inn
- Directorate For Engineering [0952021] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Local skin flaps have revolutionized reconstructive surgery. Mechanical loading is critical for flap survival: excessive tissue tension reduces blood supply and induces tissue necrosis. However, skin flaps have never been analyzed mechanically. Here we explore the stress profiles of two common flap designs, direct advancement flaps and double back-cut flaps. Our simulations predict a direct correlation between regions of maximum stress and tissue necrosis. This suggests that elevated stress could serve as predictor for flap failure. Our model is a promising step towards computer-guided reconstructive surgery with the goal to minimize stress, accelerate healing, minimize scarring, and optimize tissue use. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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