Application of freeze-dried amniotic membrane: a control trial at the donor site of split-thickness skin grafting.

Sixty five patients (51 males and 14 females) underwent a control trial of freeze-dried amniotic membrane applied in the form of split-thickness skin grafts over an area from which skin had been surgically removed. The average size of the grafts was 15 x 20 cm. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group (36 patients), the membrane was applied at the upper half of the wound; in the second group (29 patients), the membrane was applied at the lower half of the wound. The remaining areas of the wounds were covered by antibiotic-impregnated fine-mesh greased gauze. Pain, infection, and the progress of healing were monitored. Covering the wound with the amniotic membrane had good results in terms of pain reduction, but the promotion of healing and the prevention of infection were not demonstrated. Hyperemia and hypertrophic scar responses to the membrane in some cases were considered as disadvantages.