Compression-induced tissue damage: Animal models

Abstract

To gain insight into the aetiology of pressure ulcers, different kinds of studies have been performed in the past 50 years: from experimental studies, using animal models and humans, to theoretical and numerical studies. In this chapter animal studies on the aetiology of pressure ulcers and on factors that influence the development of pressure ulcers are described, particularly studies performed in the past decade. A clear trend is visible in studies performed in recent years. They focus less on deriving pressure! time curves and more on practical aspects like the influence of temperature, medicine, nutrition and the method of pressure relief. To be able to investigate the role of tissue (re)perfusion and lymph flow as well as the interaction between tissue layers in bulk tissue, animal experiments are needed. However, the number of animal experiments is fortunately being reduced by the recent trend towards in-vitro model systems such as tissue-engineered skin or muscle for studies on the effect of mechanical loading on tissues. In-vitro models are, however, never conclusive with respect to the results because in-vitro cultures behave differently from animals or humans. Furthermore, new technologies which are non-invasive, such as MRI, also reduce the number of animals needed.