Creep vs. stretch: A review of the viscoelastic properties of skin

Brad J. Wilhelmi, Steven J. Blackwell, John S. Mancoll, Linda G. Phillips

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

134 Scopus citations

Abstract

Possessing viscous and elastic rheological properties, skin is viscoelastic. Mechanical creep, defined as the elongation of skin with a constant load over time beyond intrinsic extensibility, has been described as the vehicle harnessed for wound closure with presuturing, intraoperative tissue expansion, skin-stretching devices, and skin retraction with undermining. Resulting from the generation of new tissue due to a chronic stretching force, biological creep plays a role in conventional tissue expansion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)215-219
Number of pages5
JournalAnnals of plastic surgery
Volume41
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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