Computational Mathematics Group, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Dutch Burn Foundation, Beverwijk, the Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Corresponding author at: Computational Mathematics Group, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Fred Vermolen
Computational Mathematics Group, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Data Science Institute (DSI), University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium
Qiyao Peng
Mathematical Institute, University of Leiden, Leiden, the Netherlands; Bioinformatics, Department of Computer Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
H.Ibrahim Korkmaz
Burn Center, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, the Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Paul van Zuijlen
Burn Center, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, the Netherlands; Pediatric Surgical Centre, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC and VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Severe second-degree ‘partial thickness’ and third-degree ‘full thickness’ burns are characterized by damage to the dermal layer of the skin. In the dermis, specialized cells called fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing. These cells produce collagen, a protein that provides strength and structure to the skin. After burn injury, fibroblasts migrate to the injured area and start producing and depositing collagen to help repair the damaged tissue. While contraction is essential for closing the wound, it can also result in scar contraction (contractures), especially in more severe burns. This contraction creates stresses on the skin, which can deteriorate the mobility of joints near the burn.This article overviews the most recent research results in computer simulations of scar contraction after burns.
