The Amniotic Membrane: A Suitable Biological Dressing to Prevent Infection in Thermal Burns

The development of wound sepsis is the most common cause of mortality and morbidity among burn patients. A variety of dressings have been used to cover, reduce burn wound sepsis and promote wound healing. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of amniotic membrane with the classical method of treatment in thermal burn patients in reducing wound sepsis. Two-hundred patients, with less than 20% of total body surface, who suffered from second degree superficial and deep-thickness burns, were selected randomly and divided into two groups of 100 patients each. The first group was treated with classical method of antibiotic ointment and gauze bandage. The second group was covered with amniotic membranes procured from hepatitis-, syphilis- and HIV-seronegative mothers having undergone cesarean deliveries. The wounds were inspected for any signs of infection daily for 10 days, then on weekly basis for 4 weeks and finally monthly for 6 months. All cases were treated on an outpatient basis. In the amnion and classical methods, 2 and 17 cases of infection were respectively observed. These were hospitalized and treated successfully by debridement and administration of appropriate systemic and local antibiotics. Despite possible dangers of disease transmission, which can be overcome with appropriate precautions, we recommend the widespread use of this procedure.