Functional morphology of the skin durind forced tissue expansion in the experiment

Abstract

The aim — to study the dermal layer collagen fibers morphologicy of the skin with its experimental mechanical extension according to Langer’s lines.Materials and methods. 120 skin samples extracted in 5 hours of autopsy were divided into 3 groups: 50 skin fragments that were subjected to forced mechanical stretching in parallel with the Langer’s lines; 50 skin samples that were subjected to forced mechanical stretching perpendicular to the Langer’s lines. The control group consisted of 20 skin samples taken in parallel (n = 10) and perpendicular (n = 10) to the Langer’s lines, which did not underwent any mechanical effect.Results and discussion. Mechanical stretching of the skin taken in parallel with the Langer’s lines gives a slight additional tissue increase, which was not sutable for additional plastic material forming from the adjacent intact skin to close defects of various etiologies. The forced stretching of the skin taken in parallel with Langer’s lines leads to stretching, thinning and fragmentation of collagen fibers, and is regarded as a traumatic effect. Mechanical stretching of the skin taken perpendicular to the Langer’s lines gives the greatest additional length of the tissue and will be effective for the additional plastic material formation from the adjacent intact skin to cover defects of various etiologies. Mechanical stretching of the skin taken perpendicular to the Langer’s lines leads to stretching and thinning of collagen fibers without their fragmentation, which indicates a sufficiently high stretching potential of the skin with without the intradermal structures injure.Conclusions. When planning dermatension surgery to obtain additional plastic material for various wound defects eliminating, it is necessary to consider the anatomical Langer’s lines location at all stages.