Using Amniotic Membrane as a Novel Method to Reduce Post-burn Hypertrophic Scar Formation: A Prospective Follow-up Study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the application of amniotic membrane as a biological dressing in the management of burns is accompanied by rapid re-epithelialisation. In this follow-up study, we aimed to evaluate the possible role of amniotic membrane as an adjunct to split thickness skin grafting on reducing itching and severity of hypertrophic scar formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2013 to January 2015, in a prospective follow-up study, 54 patients (108 limbs) with second and third degree burns, covering 4%-15% of total body surface area (TBSA), were included in the study. All patients needed split-thickness skin grafts for burn-wound coverage. Selected patients had symmetric burns on two (upper or lower) extremities. Then, in every patient, the extremities were randomly divided into two groups: In one limb, the skin graft was traditionally fixed with skin staples (control group) and in the other limb, the skin graft was covered with an amniotic membrane (amnion group). Therefore, in every patient, the graft was covered with an amniotic membrane in one extremity and fixed with skin staples in the other extremity. Finally, after 6 months, the degree of itching and hypertrophic scar formation was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The study group was composed of 108 limbs in 54 patients (27 males and 27 females) with a mean age of 23.54 ± 4.9 years and burn 9.03 ± 2.69% TBSA. The patients were divided into two groups: 54 limbs in amnion group and 54 limbs in control group. In 59.25% of the cases, patient had less itching in the extremity covered with amniotic membrane. Furthermore, in 64.81% of the cases, patients had less hypertrophic scar formation in the extremity covered with amniotic membrane. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane used as an adjunct in split thickness skin grafting is a novel modality which significantly reduces scar formation and itching that can be greatly distressing to burn patients. However, still more prospective well designed studies are needed to prove it.

Effect of amniotic membrane on graft take in extremity burns.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the application of amniotic membrane as a biological dressing in the management of burns is accompanied by rapid re-epithelialisation and healing as it diminishes the oozing of plasma, bacterial count and fluid, protein and heat loss. This study evaluates the effect of amniotic membrane on graft take in split-thickness skin graft of extremity burns. METHODS: From October 2008 to January 2010, in a prospective clinical trial, 54 patients (108 limbs) with second and third degree burns, covering 4-15% of total body surface area (TBSA), were included in this study. All patients needed split-thickness skin grafts for burn-wound coverage. Selected patients had symmetric burns on two (upper or lower) extremities. Then in every patient, the extremities were randomly divided into two groups: in one limb, the skin graft was traditionally fixed with skin staples (control group) and in the other limb the skin graft was covered with an amniotic membrane (amnion group). Therefore, in every patient the graft was covered with an amniotic membrane in one extremity and fixed with skin staples in the other extremity. Finally, the duration and success rate of complete graft take was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The study group was composed of 108 limbs in 54 patients (27 males and 27 females) with a mean age of 23.54±4.9 years and burn 9.03±2.69% TBSA. The mechanism of burn was flame (63%), scald (18.5%) and flash (18.5%). The rate of complete graft take was 96.76% and 88.79% in the amnion group and in the control group, respectively. The mean duration of graft take was 6.98±1.35 days in the amnion group and 13.9±1.66 days in the control group. This difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that although the amniotic membrane has no negative impact on graft take, it significantly reduces the duration of complete graft take, which is very important for both the patient and the health-care system.

Giant neurofibroma of labia major.

A 21-year-old woman presented with a large, slowly growing, pedunculated mass from her right labia major interfering with her physical activity. Surgical excision was performed, and pathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of neurofibroma.