Mechanical properties of hydrogel wound dressing in skin regeneration – a meta-analysis of in vivo studies

This study quantitatively evaluated how the mechanical properties of hydrogel wound dressings influence in vivo wound healing outcomes, including wound closure, granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, vascularization, and inflammation. Published studies comparing at least two hydrogel dressings with distinct mechanical properties were systematically screened, and quantitative outcome data were extracted for meta-analysis encompassing effect size estimation, forest plot visualization, and heterogeneity and bias assessment. A total of forty-six studies were included. Both quantitative and narrative analyses indicated that mechanical properties substantially affect wound healing outcomes. Specifically, smaller pore size was associated with greater granulation tissue formation (Standard Mean Difference, SMD = 2.53, 95% Confidence Interval, CI [0.89, 4.17]), and higher elasticity tended to increase collagen deposition (SMD = 1.02, 95% CI [−0.10, 2.14]) compared with controls. Considerable heterogeneity was observed across all groups (I² > 70%), likely reflecting variations in study design and the limited statistical control inherent to in vivo experiments.