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Updated: May 17, 2026
A Mouse Fetal Skin Model of Scarless Wound Repair
Published on: January 16, 2015
Prognosis of full-thickness skin defects in premature infants
Hyung Suk Moon1, Jin Sik Burm, Won Yong Yang
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Premature infant extremities heal full-thickness skin defects via wound contraction, minimizing granulation and scarring due to pliable skin. This rapid healing process leads to favorable scar outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal dermatology
- Wound healing research
- Pediatric surgery
Background:
- Premature infant extremities exhibit high skin pliability and laxity.
- This inherent characteristic suggests a potential for rapid wound healing through contraction.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the wound healing characteristics of full-thickness skin defects in premature infant extremities.
- Analyze the outcomes of wound healing in this specific population.
Main Methods:
- Study included 13 premature infants (14 cases) with full-thickness defects from total parenteral nutrition extravasation.
- Wounds were treated with intensive moist dressings, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories.
- Post-closure management involved moisturization and mild compression.
Main Results:
- Most defects healed by contraction with minimal granulation tissue.
- Scarring patterns included pinpoint (3), linear (9), and round hypertrophic (2) scars.
- Linear scars correlated with less granulation and alignment with relaxed skin tension lines; round scars with more granulation.
Conclusions:
- Full-thickness defects in premature infants primarily heal by wound contraction.
- Minimal granulation and scar formation are likely due to exceptional skin mobility.
- Healing outcomes were satisfactory, with mild contracture in some cases but no functional abnormalities.
Background:
In the extremities of premature infants, the skin and subcutaneous tissue are very pliable due to immaturity and have a greater degree of skin laxity and mobility. Thus, we can expect wounds to heal rapidly by wound contraction. This study investigates wound healing of full-thickness defects in premature infant extremities.
Methods:
The study consisted of 13 premature infants who had a total of 14 cases of full-thickness skin defects of the extremities due to extravasation after total parenteral nutrition. The wound was managed with intensive moist dressings with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents. After wound closure, moisturization and mild compression were performed.
Results:
Most of the full-thickness defects in the premature infants were closed by wound contraction without granulation tissue formation on the wound bed. The defects resulted in 3 pinpoint scars, 9 linear scars, and 2 round hypertrophic scars. The wounds with less granulation tissue were healed by contraction and resulted in linear scars parallel to the relaxed skin tension line. The wounds with more granulation tissue resulted in round scars. There was mild contracture without functional abnormality in 3 cases with a defect over two thirds of the longitudinal length of the dorsum of the hand or foot. The patients' parents were satisfied with the outcomes in 12 of 14 cases.
Conclusions:
Full-thickness skin defects in premature infants typically heal by wound contraction with minimal granulation tissue and scar formation probably due to excellent skin mobility.
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