Quantitative Assessment of Viscoelastic Skin Properties in a Porcine Model: Implications for Regenerative Therapies.

Pigs weighing 70–120 kg show the most consistent skin viscoelastic profiles for preclinical wound-healing research.

This exploratory pilot study provides the first cutometric characterization of porcine skin viscoelasticity across anatomical regions and body weight categories, offering a biomechanical reference relevant to preclinical wound-healing and regenerative medicine research. Ten female domestic pigs spanning 30–180 kg were assessed using cutometer-based suction measurements at six standardized dorsal sites under general anesthesia. Key viscoelastic parameters—distensibility (R0), gross elasticity (R5), net elasticity (R7), and biological elasticity (R8)—were recorded and analyzed descriptively due to the small, heterogeneous sample. Results indicated that pigs in the 70 kg weight category demonstrated higher skin distensibility and recovery values, while the 100–120 kg range showed greater elasticity and resilience. Anatomically, the head region exhibited greater distensibility and elasticity compared to middle and rear dorsal sections, while the rear region demonstrated superior recovery. Left-right asymmetry was modest, with a slight tendency toward higher distensibility on the left side at lower body weights. The 70–120 kg range and specific dorsal regions (1, 3, and 6) showed the most consistent viscoelastic profiles, suggesting these parameters may optimize experimental reproducibility. The authors acknowledge the exploratory nature of the study and limited sample size, which preclude definitive statistical conclusions. Nevertheless, these findings establish a foundational biomechanical dataset to inform study design, animal selection, and outcome assessment in porcine models used for dermal regeneration, biomaterial testing, and wound-healing interventions.

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