RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of human acellular amniotic membrane(HAAM) on postsurgical recovery of nail beds. METHODS: Patients undergoing nail surgery were randomly divided into two groups: 19 in the experimental and 19 in the control groups. Patients in the experimental group were given HAAM before the wounds were covered with vaseline gauze the next day after surgery; whereas those in the control group received vaseline gauze dressing only. Ratings of pain were recorded when 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h after the dressing was changed. The time when the wounds healed and the nail grew thoroughly were observed. RESULTS: The characteristics of patients in the two groups were similar. The patients in the experimental group reported significantly less pain at 4 h and 48 h than those in the control group ( P<0.05). After dress changing 24 h, pain disappear in the experimental group. The wounds of the patients in the experimental group also healed quicker [(12.37±2.48) d] than those in the control group [(17.68±2.86) d, P<0.05]. It took (13.95±1.72) weeks for the patients in the experimental group to have their nails grown completely, compared with (15.63±2.00) weeks for those in the control group ( P=0.016). The experimental group had a similar degree of satisfaction (7.61±1.38) towards the cosmetic appearance of their nails compare the control group (7.58±1.18, P=0.919). CONCLUSIONS: HAAM can promote healing of surgical wounds on nail beds.