Nerve endings in palm skin grafts

We examined regeneration of Meissner corpuscles in palm skin grafts. In only one of the specimens (split-thickness skin graft from the sole of the foot), numerous regenerated Meissner corpuscles were found in the dermal papilla. This suggests that the nerve pattern of the graft depends on reinnervation from the recipient site and the regeneration of encapsulated nerve endings contained in the graft. It is recommended that skin grafts containing the encapsulated nerve endings be used in digits to obtain a satisfactory recovery of the sensory function.