Dermal Surface Morphology in Wound Healing

The authors observed, with a scanning electron microscope, the dermal surfaces of experimental wounds, following the enzymatic digestion with trypsin of the dermo-epidermal junction. Cut lesions showed an early reconstitution of the basement membrane and progressive convergence of the margins. A peculiar arrangement of the dermal crests was also observed. In wounds with loss of substance, the complete coating by newly formed basement membrane took longer. There was an early deformation of the holes of hair follicles in the undamaged dermis surrounding the lesion, as well as the appearance of creases that moved toward the center. This process was over within a few days; then the lesion became very small and the holes of the hair follicles reappeared. The results suggest a force of traction bound toward the center of the lesion and acting on the surface, the effects of which on the basement membrane are most evident between the eighth and the 15th days.