The possible use of amniotic membrane in chronic leg ulcers.

UNLABELLED

A trial of living amniotic membrane is suggested as a suitable dressing for certain indolent ulcers. The type of ulcer which is large and chronic both in rate of healing as well as time since onset is well known to everyone. After eliminating any venous defect, oedema, cellulitis, correction of stiff joints, anaemia, we are left with a local indolent problem. What is the ideal dressing? Comfortable or relieves pain; harmless to the tissues and encourages removal of slough; encourages vascularity of the granulation tissue. Method of application: Amnion is applied for five days prior to skin grafting.

RESULTS

Better results in those ulcers which have a venous origin rather than arterial. In most cases a clean delicate layer of granulation tissue forms. Histopathology: biopsy of the ulcer base: before application of amnion - dense fibrous tissue, few thick-walled vessels; after application of amnion - more delicate connective tissue, numerous vessels, with thinner walls. The formation of an amnion bank: To facilitate the availability of living amnion. To investigate the possibility of an extract of amnion which would produce the same results as the membrane itself.