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

Wilhelmi, B J; Blackwell, S J; Mancoll, J S; Phillips, L G · Ann Plast Surg · 1998

review · Level V

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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.

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