Summary
The reinnervation of neurofilament-positive sensory nerve fibers in human skin after burn injury was investigated using an indirect immunohistochemical technique. In superficial burns, which healed spontaneously, a dense innervation pattern of neurofilament positive fibers were seen after 3–5 weeks. After 1–2 years the innervation pattern resembled that of normal nonburned skin. In deep burns, subjected to early or late excision and skingrafting, neurofilament positive fibers were seen in the dermis after 3–5 weeks and after 1–2 years a less dense innervation was observed, compared to non-burned skin. In these patients fibers were often seen running in parallel to the dermis-epidermis boundary with only a few fibers entering the epidermal layer. In deep burns that healed with hypertrophic scars only sparse neurofilament positive fibers were encountered 1–2 years after the injury.
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Hermanson, A., Dalsgaard, C.J., Jonsson, C.E. et al. A study of the cutaneous sensory reinnervation after burn injury using antibodies to neurofilament. Eur J Plast Surg 10, 115–118 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00294474
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00294474