Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Changes Associated With the Growth of Acne Keloids

Background:. Almost half of all spontaneously occurring keloids are acne keloids on the anterior chest. These keloids often grow in a crab-claw shape due to predominant tractional stresses on the scar; such stresses are risk factors for keloid growth/progression. To understand the relationship betwe...

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Main Authors: Nobuaki Ishii, MD, Satoshi Akaishi, MD, PhD, Masataka Akimoto, MD, PhD, Shizuko Ichinose, PhD, Satoshi Usami, PhD, Teruyuki Dohi, MD, PhD, Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD, FACS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2024-12-01
Series:Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006365
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author Nobuaki Ishii, MD
Satoshi Akaishi, MD, PhD
Masataka Akimoto, MD, PhD
Shizuko Ichinose, PhD
Satoshi Usami, PhD
Teruyuki Dohi, MD, PhD
Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD, FACS
author_facet Nobuaki Ishii, MD
Satoshi Akaishi, MD, PhD
Masataka Akimoto, MD, PhD
Shizuko Ichinose, PhD
Satoshi Usami, PhD
Teruyuki Dohi, MD, PhD
Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD, FACS
author_sort Nobuaki Ishii, MD
collection DOAJ
description Background:. Almost half of all spontaneously occurring keloids are acne keloids on the anterior chest. These keloids often grow in a crab-claw shape due to predominant tractional stresses on the scar; such stresses are risk factors for keloid growth/progression. To understand the relationship between acne keloid growth and mechanical stress, we conducted finite element analysis (FEA), measured the long/short dimensions of photographed acne keloids, and subjected acne keloids to microscopy. Methods:. FEA was conducted on 10 identically shaped ellipsoidal keloids whose long-axis length rose from 5 to 50 mm in 5-mm increments. They were embedded in the skin and subjected to traction. The stress on the keloid and its surrounding tissues was determined. Dimensions of 220 acne keloids were measured. Electron/light microscopy was conducted on the center, margins, and surrounding tissues of chest acne keloids. Results:. FEA showed that as the keloid “grew,” the tractional stress centered on its core, then became evenly distributed, and then focused increasingly on the tractioned keloid margin, especially its shallow dermis. This is associated with increasing stress in the surrounding tissues at the keloid margin. Clinical dimension measurements showed that acne keloids remained round until 4–5 mm, after which they elongated rapidly. Electron microscopy showed that in the surrounding skin, fragments of keratinocyte, fibrin, and numerous cell fragments were observed just below the epidermal basement membrane. Conclusions:. Keloid-prone acne should be treated with steroid tape or other keloid therapy when it reaches 4–5 mm in diameter.
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spelling doaj-art-1a6206076b294b76bcb8b5fc754cb3dc2025-08-20T02:32:32ZengWolters KluwerPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open2169-75742024-12-011212e636510.1097/GOX.0000000000006365202412000-00057Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Changes Associated With the Growth of Acne KeloidsNobuaki Ishii, MD0Satoshi Akaishi, MD, PhD1Masataka Akimoto, MD, PhD2Shizuko Ichinose, PhD3Satoshi Usami, PhD4Teruyuki Dohi, MD, PhD5Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD, FACS6From the * Department of Plastic Surgery, Nippon Medical School Chibahokusoh Hospital, Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan† Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Regenerative Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, JapanFrom the * Department of Plastic Surgery, Nippon Medical School Chibahokusoh Hospital, Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan† Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Regenerative Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, Japan§ Graduate School of Education, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, Japan† Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Regenerative Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, Japan† Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Regenerative Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, JapanBackground:. Almost half of all spontaneously occurring keloids are acne keloids on the anterior chest. These keloids often grow in a crab-claw shape due to predominant tractional stresses on the scar; such stresses are risk factors for keloid growth/progression. To understand the relationship between acne keloid growth and mechanical stress, we conducted finite element analysis (FEA), measured the long/short dimensions of photographed acne keloids, and subjected acne keloids to microscopy. Methods:. FEA was conducted on 10 identically shaped ellipsoidal keloids whose long-axis length rose from 5 to 50 mm in 5-mm increments. They were embedded in the skin and subjected to traction. The stress on the keloid and its surrounding tissues was determined. Dimensions of 220 acne keloids were measured. Electron/light microscopy was conducted on the center, margins, and surrounding tissues of chest acne keloids. Results:. FEA showed that as the keloid “grew,” the tractional stress centered on its core, then became evenly distributed, and then focused increasingly on the tractioned keloid margin, especially its shallow dermis. This is associated with increasing stress in the surrounding tissues at the keloid margin. Clinical dimension measurements showed that acne keloids remained round until 4–5 mm, after which they elongated rapidly. Electron microscopy showed that in the surrounding skin, fragments of keratinocyte, fibrin, and numerous cell fragments were observed just below the epidermal basement membrane. Conclusions:. Keloid-prone acne should be treated with steroid tape or other keloid therapy when it reaches 4–5 mm in diameter.http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006365
spellingShingle Nobuaki Ishii, MD
Satoshi Akaishi, MD, PhD
Masataka Akimoto, MD, PhD
Shizuko Ichinose, PhD
Satoshi Usami, PhD
Teruyuki Dohi, MD, PhD
Rei Ogawa, MD, PhD, FACS
Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Changes Associated With the Growth of Acne Keloids
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
title Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Changes Associated With the Growth of Acne Keloids
title_full Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Changes Associated With the Growth of Acne Keloids
title_fullStr Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Changes Associated With the Growth of Acne Keloids
title_full_unstemmed Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Changes Associated With the Growth of Acne Keloids
title_short Finite Element Analysis of the Stress Changes Associated With the Growth of Acne Keloids
title_sort finite element analysis of the stress changes associated with the growth of acne keloids
url http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006365
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