Fred Vermolen1, Paul van Zuijlen2,3,4,5. 1. Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands. 2. Burn Center, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, The Netherlands. 4. University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
Objective: Improving the treatment of deep tissue injuries, such as burns, by the use of computational modeling, instead of by animal experiments. Approach: Development of mathematical relations between various parameters and processes. Furthermore, solving the resulting problems through the use of numerical methods, such as finite-element methods. Results: Using our framework, we are able to simulate wound contraction in two dimensions, in which the wound area is followed over time. Our studies indicate that the degree of contraction can be reduced if the appearance of myofibroblasts is inhibited and if their apoptosis is enhanced. Furthermore, after skin grafting, splinting procedures are to be continued as long as TG-beta like growth factor levels are significant. Innovation: A morphoelasticity-based and computational-probabilistic framework for studying the evolution of burn injuries. Conclusion: The current framework is able to reproduce the time evolution of the wound area as observed in clinical results for skin grafts. Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Objective: Improving the treatment of deep tissue injuries, such as burns, by the use of computational modeling, instead of by animal experiments. Approach: Development of mathematical relations between various parameters and processes. Furthermore, solving the resulting problems through the use of numerical methods, such as finite-element methods. Results: Using our framework, we are able to simulate wound contraction in two dimensions, in which the wound area is followed over time. Our studies indicate that the degree of contraction can be reduced if the appearance of myofibroblasts is inhibited and if their apoptosis is enhanced. Furthermore, after skin grafting, splinting procedures are to be continued as long as TG-beta like growth factor levels are significant. Innovation: A morphoelasticity-based and computational-probabilistic framework for studying the evolution of burn injuries. Conclusion: The current framework is able to reproduce the time evolution of the wound area as observed in clinical results for skin grafts. Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Keywords:
(myo) fibroblasts; burn injury; deep tissue injury; mathematical modeling; probability estimation; wound contraction
Authors: Daniël C Koppenol; Fred J Vermolen; Gabriela V Koppenol-Gonzalez; Frank B Niessen; Paul P M van Zuijlen; Kees Vuik Journal: J Math Biol Date: 2016-11-08 Impact factor: 2.259