The Effect of Amniotic Membrane Patch in Wound Healing of Skin Defect

Cho, Do Youn; Chung, Byoung Soo; Choi, Kyu Cherl

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Amniotic membrane contains basement membrane components and several growth factor proteins. Therefore, transplantation of amniotic membrane might help epithelialization. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare efficacies of amniotic membrane patches (amniotic group), polyurethane film (TegadermTM, 3M, USA: wet group), and nonadherent dressing (dry group) in wound healing. METHOD: Six rabbits were included in this study. We made wound defects on the back of each rabbit. Amniotic membrane patches (amniotic group) was applied to each wound defect in the first group, polyurethane film (TegadermTM, 3M, USA: wet group) to the second group, and nonadherent dressings (dry group) to the third group. We compared the time taken for each wound defect to heal, and the gross and histopathologic change of the wound defect from baseline, over time. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1. In the early phase, the amniotic membrane patch (amniotic group) resulted in a faster healing time than either the polyurethane film (TegadermTM, 3M, USA: wet group) or the nonadherent dressing (dry group). 2. On day 10, all groups achieved histological epithelialization. 3. In the late phase, the amniotic membrane patch (amniotic group) might inhibit collagen fiber arrangement and development of skin appendages. CONCLUSION: The amniotic membrane patch is effective in the treatment of rabbit wound defects. It can serve as a biological dressing in the early phase of wound defects.