Skin trauma rapidly induces thermoregulatory plexus hyperemia, while an increased nutritive papillary capillary function can be detected after 24 h

Microvascular remodeling following skin injury

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe possible remodeling (i.e., dilatation and elongation) of papillary capillaries induced by increased oxygen demand for the repair process following a skin wound.

METHODS

Computer-assisted video microscopy was used to examine 10 healthy volunteers before (baseline) and after (≈1 h and ≈24 h) an incision (5 mm long and 1 mm deep) on the forearm, 0-1 mm and 30 mm (control site) from the incision. We defined categories from 0 (low) to 3 (high) to grade dilatation and elongation of the nutritive papillary capillaries, as well as the visibility of the superficial vascular plexus. Approximately 10 000 capillaries from 200 films were scored.

RESULTS

The nutritive papillary capillaries were dilated and elongated (p < 0.01) after ≈24 h; that is, elongation (score 1.9 ± 0.9) vs baseline (score 0.9 ± 0.6), p < 0.01 and dilatation (score 2.2 ± 0.7) vs baseline (score 0.3 ± 0.3), p < 0.01. Superficial plexus visibility increased (p < 0.01) after ≈1 h (score 2.0 ± 0.7) and ≈24 h (score 2.7 ± 0.3) vs baseline (score 0.8 ± 0.4).

CONCLUSION

The superficial vascular skin plexus showed enhanced visibility already ≈1 h after the skin trauma. Morphological remodeling in the nutritive papillary capillaries-dilatation and elongation after ≈24 h-facilitate increased O₂  supply.