The final phase, remodeling, can last for months to years and involves the maturation of the wound. Collagen fibers, initially laid down in a random pattern, are reorganized and aligned to increase tensile strength. Myofibroblasts play a key role in wound contraction, reducing the size of the tissue defect. During this phase, the cellularity of the tissue decreases, and the vascular density is reduced as the wound matures. Histologically, the remodeling phase is seen as a decrease in cellular and vascular density and an increase in collagen fiber organization.
