Expansion limits of meshed split-thickness skin grafts

Split-thickness skin grafts are widely used to treat chronic wounds. Procedure design requires surgeons to predict how much a patch of the patient's own skin expands when it is meshed with rows of slits and stretched over a larger wound area. Accurate prediction of graft expansion remains a challenge, with current models overestimating the actual expansion, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Inspired by the principles of mechanical metamaterials, we developed a model that distinguishes between the kinematic rearrangement of structural elements and their stretching, providing a more accurate prediction of skin graft expansion. Our model was validated against extensive data from skin graft surgeries, demonstrating vastly superior predictive capability compared to existing methods. This metamaterial-inspired approach enables informed decision-making for potentially improving healing outcomes.

Statement of Significance

Accurately predicting the expansion of meshed skin grafts is crucial for minimizing patient trauma and optimizing healing outcomes in reconstructive surgery. However, current quantitative models, which treat grafts as tessellated trusses of rigid bars, fail to accurately estimate graft expansion. We have uncovered the mechanisms underlying skin graft expansion and developed a straightforward method based on these findings. This method, designed for practical use by surgeons, provides accurate predictions of graft expansion, as validated against extensive data from skin graft surgeries.