QS4: In Vivo Quantitative Analysis of Subcutaneous Membranous Layers -Superficial And Deep Fascia- In Eleven Regions of the Human Body

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Purpose: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) and Hypertrophic scars (HSs) are the most common complications of wound healing. Most SSIs are superficial infections involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue (SQ) only. Abnormal scaring is driven by ongoing dermal inflammation in high skin tension areas (e.g. anterior and posterior chest). For prevention, proper suturing techniques are required, in particular for subcutaneous adipose tissue, to reduce high skin stretching tension and prevent ischemia. While adipose lobules cannot be sutured, superficial fascia (SF) -the membranous structure of adipose stroma- must be sutured. However, the exact anatomy and characteristics such as number and thickness of SF throughout the body regions are still lacking. This is the first study to present a detailed quantitative analysis of SF anatomy. We believe such details will help in optimization of subcutaneous sutures. Methods: Superficial and deep fascia (DF) were analyzed using ultrasound imaging in predefined 73-point locations, distributed among eleven body regions of ten healthy male volunteers; Anterior chest: 9 points, abdomen: 10, posterior chest: 9, lumbar region: 6, gluteus: 2, arm: 8, elbow: 3, forearm: 8, thigh: 9, knee: 3 and leg: 6. Using ImageJ software, thickness of SF and DF layers, dermis and SQ were measured along SF percentage. Three random measurements were taken for each var

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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