title: Alteration of biomechanical properties of skin in acute cold contact injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of acute cold injury has increased recently. Despite new research findings, these injuries and their resulting tissue damage are still not entirely understood. Especially, little is known about alteration of skin biomechanical properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 36 acute cold contact wounds with different depths were generated on the abdomen of six Göttingen minipigs. Alteration of biomechanical properties of skin was evaluated objectively after 15 and 360 min using a Cutometer device. Biopsies for histological evaluation were taken, and the depth of injury was correlated with biomechanical properties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Calculated elasticity (Ue), firmness of skin (R0) and overall elasticity (R8) demonstrated a continuous decrease, whereas other parameters demonstrated an initial increase with increasing depth of injury 15 min after wound generation. All parameters showed an increase compared to healthy skin, 360 min after wound generation. Furthermore, an alteration of values over time was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alteration of biomechanical properties of skin is a function of damaged tissue structures. The presented results demonstrate a decrease of main elastic parameters with increasing depth of injury and indicate progressive tissue damage over time. Skin elasticity measurements are a valuable tool in acute cold contact injury depth assessment and may act as an influencing factor in management decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Electronic address: ManuelHeld@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Held
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rothenberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schiefer
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rath
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaminet
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand and Burn Surgery, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, HELIOS Klinikum Wuppertal GmbH, University Hospital Witten/Herdecke, Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahmanian-Schwarz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004548:Elasticity; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature
keywords: Cold injury; Cutometer; Minipig; Skin elasticity