Can dog-ear formation be decreased when an S-shaped skin resection is usedinstead of a spindle skin resection? A three-dimensional analysis of skin surgery techniques using the finite element method

Dog-ear formation is often unavoidable with resection and suturing of the s kin, including spindle excision. Regarding dog-ear formation after basic sp indle skin resection during removal of a round tumor of the skin, we quanti tatively analyzed the frequency of dog-ear formation with respect to the fo llowing three techniques: previous spindle skin resection, S-shaped skin re section, which has been experientially considered to induce limited deformi ty, and mosque-shaped skin resection for control. To date, by using paper m odels or sponges, various techniques of skin resection have been simulated in the field of plastic surgery. In the present study, we performed three-d imensional simulation and analyzed three different techniques of skin resec tion by using the finite element method. As a result, image simulation demo nstrated that the frequency of dog-ear formation was limited by S-shaped, s pindle, and mosque-shaped skin resection, in descending order.