Figure 1.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis computer model of skin incision. (a) The model comprises 3 layers: skin, fat, and muscle. The incision consists of a vertical cut through the skin and 10 mm into the fat. A 50-mm wide horizontal fascial separation was created at the bottom of the incision. (b) Pattern of forces around skin incision in millimeters of tissue deformation from its starting position due to the inherent lateral tensions in the tissue when the incision is made (blue is small; red is larger) The plane of the section is across the incision. (c) Close-up from (b).