Reinnervation of split skin grafts in humans: comparison of two different methods of operation

Studies on the reinnervation of split skin grafts have produced contradictory results. As the difference in sensitivity may be caused by the method of grafting, sensory reinnervation was studied in split skin grafted by two different methods. Thirty-nine patients given split skin grafts after the excision of malignant melanoma took part in the study. In 17 patients, split skin was grafted on to the intact muscle fascia. In another 22 patients the skin was grafted directly on to the muscle after the fascia had been removed. In all patients, sensitivity (to touch, heat/cold, and pain) was tested on the grafts and the skin from the opposite side. Sensory functions on grafted skin were generally reduced. Patients with split skin grafted on to the intact muscle fascia had better reinnervation than the ones in whom the fascia had been removed. However, individual patients from both groups showed surprisingly good reinnervation of transplanted skin. The reasons for this finding are not clear, but it is quite possible that the characteristics of the grafted skin have some influence on the reinnervation.