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Research Article| Volume 33, ISSUE 3, P371-376, July 1980

The effects of varying degrees of tension on the viability of skin flaps in pigs

  • P.M. Stell
    Correspondence
    Address for reprints: Professor P. M. Stell, Ch.M., F.R.C.S., Royal Liverpool Hospital, Prescot Street, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX.
    Affiliations
    Professor of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool L69 3BX UK
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      Abstract

      When pig skin is progressively extended the graphs obtained are similar to those in man. There are directional variations depending on the orientation of flaps to Langer's lines.
      A variety of flaps were subjected to 3 grades of tension: normal, i.e. the flap sutured into its original position; slightly stretched; maximally stretched.
      Flaps sutured in their normal position were no different from those sutured in their retracted position.
      The surviving length in each group did not differ significantly but flaps under maximal tension were more likely to undergo distal necrosis.

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