[Nerve regeneration of hypertrophic scars and keloids after deep burns]

To disclose whether there is difference in nerve regeneration between human hypertrophic scars and keloids after deep burns so as to provide a basis for new clinical treatment.

Fifty-seven samples that were clinically and pathologically diagnosed as hypertrophic scars or keloids after deep burns were examined by use of two-label immunohistochemistry to define the nerves in scars. Then, the Mean Integrated Optical Density (MIOD) of S-100 and the MIOD of neurofilament (NF) proteins were measured and analyzed.

In hypertrophic scars or keloids, the nerve regeneration was growing gradually. The speed was high 3-5 months after burn and it slowed down 18 months after burn. The expression of S-100 and NF varied with different period of time (P<0.05). The expression of S-100 and NF in hypertrophic scars was higher than that in keloids. There was no difference 3-5 months after burn, but there was difference 6 months after burn.

S-100 and NF are good markers to define the nerve regeneration in scars. The nerve regeneration in hypertrophic scars or keloids changes with the times. The nerve regeneration is more conspicuous in hypertrophic scars than in keloids.