Evaluation of the biomechanical properties of the skin in a burned patient with a non-invasive and quantitative method

Abstract

Burn injuries represent a problem of important public attention from primary care to the patient’s inclusion in social and work life. The functional capacity of the skin in patients with burn sequelae is unknown until now because there are no well established studies with adequate methods. In this investigation, the main sources of variation were standardized in a person without injury and later in a patient with burn scars. Subsequently, different biomechanical parameters of the patient were determined by means of the 2 mm aperture cutometer probe and a negative pressure of 450 mbar with 2 seconds of suction and 2 seconds of relaxation in a series of 10 suction / relaxation cycles, each series by triplicate. In addition, moisture values of the stratum corneum were recorded by electrical resistance, and the presence of melanin and hemoglobin by optical methods at different wavelengths. In the analyzed patient, a biomechanical recovery of 60% was determined after 11 weeks of injury. In addition, the grafted area showed less moisture, less melanin and greater erythema. The suction/relaxation method by negative pressure is quick, with easy implementation and does not cause any discomfort in the patient. The relative parameters obtained are useful to relate particular skin behaviors such as elasticity and viscoelasticity, and therefore to seek suitable treatments for the patient.