A group of 18 burned patients was excised between days 2 and 5 postburn days, while 20 patients were operated later, between days 25 and 35 postburn. After early excision the wounds covered with meshed grafts contracted to a mean wound size of 56 per cent while the wounds covered with non-meshed grafts contracted to a mean wound size of 64 per cent. After late excision wounds covered with meshed grafts contracted to a mean wound size of 40.5 per cent while wounds covered with non-meshed grafts contracted to a mean wound size of 51.5 per cent. With early excision, meshed grafts grew back to a size of 78.5 per cent while non-meshed grafts grew back to a size of 91 per cent. With late excision, meshed grafts grew back to a size of 69.5 per cent while non-meshed grafts grew back to a size of 75.5 per cent.