Computational modelling of the bioheat transfer process in human skin subjected to direct heating and/or cooling sources: a systematic review

Abstract

The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze characteristics and methodologies utilized in bioheat transfer models of human skin to provide state-of-the-art knowledge on the topic. This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched up to May 30th, 2019 for bioheat transfer models focusing on direct contact between skin and temperature (heat and/or cold) source. Ten studies were included. A 16-item checklist was used to assess their methodological quality. Four studies analyzed healthy skin and six included pathological conditions. All determined skin’s thermal behavior, and studies including pathological conditions also analyzed burn damage. Studies did not present a wide variety of mathematical formulation, emphasizing on modelling equations of well-established models from the literature, such as the Pennes’ bioheat transfer equation, and the Henriques and Moritz model to quantify skin damage. Reporting of modelling characteristics and formulation of the computational models is not standardized and there is shortage of implementation of validation procedures, hindering representative conclusions. The lack of validation procedures led to low methodological quality. However, all studies provided strategies and parameters as starting points for future developments in this research area.