title: Biomechanical Skin Property Evaluation for Wounds Treated With Synthetic and Biosynthetic Wound Dressings and a Newly Developed Collagen Matrix During Healing of Superficial Skin Defects in a Rat Models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a high prevalence of superficial wounds such as partial-thickness burns. Treatment of these wounds frequently includes temporary application of wound dressings. The aim of this study was to compare a newly developed collagen matrix with commonly used temporary skin dressings for treatment of partial-thickness skin defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through a skin dermatome, 42 standardized superficial skin defects were generated on the back of 28 adult male Lewis rats. The wounds were treated with a synthetic wound dressing (Suprathel, Polymedics Innovations Inc, Woodstock, GA) (n = 14), a biosynthetic skin dressing (Biobrane, Smith & Nephew, Hull, UK) (n = 14), or a newly developed bovine collagen matrix, Collagen Cell Carrier (Viscofan BioEngineering, Weinheim, Germany) (n = 14). Biomechanical properties of the skin were determined and compared every 10 days over a 3-month period of using the Cutometer MPA 580 (Courage + Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany).
  
  
  RESULTS
  As opposed to healthy skin, statistically significant differences were detected between days 10 and 30, and between days 60 and 80, for calculated elasticity (Ue), firmness of skin (R0), and overall elasticity (R8). After 3 months, no statistically significant differences in skin elasticity were detected between the different wound dressings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented results give an opportunity to compare the wound dressings used for treatment with respect to skin elasticity and reveal the potential of the bovine collagen matrix in the treatment of superficial skin defects; therefore the results facilitate further evaluation of collagen matrix in surgical applications and regenerative medicine.
authors.affiliation: BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Held
authors.affiliation: BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Engelke
authors.affiliation: BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Dascha Sophie
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Tolzmann
authors.affiliation: HELIOS Klinikum Wuppertal GmbH, University Hospital Witten/Herdecke, Germany, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Wuppertal, Germany.
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahmanian-Schwarz
authors.affiliation: BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Eberhard
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.affiliation: BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rothenberger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004548:Elasticity; D008297:Male; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen