Use of a Dehydrated Amniotic Membrane Allograft in the Treatment of Lower Extremity Wounds: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Injuries to the skin are extensively costly to the health care system. When caused by metabolic and vascular compromise, these injuries are even more foreboding for patients. They can result in chronic inflammation, reduced mobility, and chronic pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients were selected from the author's patient population at the West Boca Center for Wound Healing for a retrospective cohort study. Patients underwent a run-in period of 2 weeks, where standard of care was used to clear the wound of bioburden. A dehydrated, human amniotic membrane (dHAM; WoundEx Membrane, Skye Biologics, Inc, El Segundo, CA) was applied at weeks 1 (2 weeks post run-in), 3, and 5, if necessary. Wound measurements and photographs were performed weekly. Data were collected through a standard form in each patient's medical record to improve reliability and reproducibility. The data extraction was performed by the author and to reduce bias. Reduction of bias was performed by selecting patients whose wounds already were established and in temporal sequence.

RESULTS: In this review of 20 patients treated with the dHAM, the author was able to effectively close all wounds in approximately 9.9 weeks (69.3 days). A linear relationship was discovered between wound size in cm2 and days to closure. Diabetic foot ulcers closed on average in 11.8 weeks (82.6 days) and venous leg ulcers in 9.2 weeks (64.4 days). No adverse events were noted secondary to the dHAM application, which shows this is a safe and effective treatment option. As of the date of this publication, there is no recurrence of the ulcerations noted.

CONCLUSION: The use of this particular dHAM allograft effectively closed diabetic foot ulcerations in 82.6 days and median wound closure in 69.3 days. This poses as an advantageous clinical benefit in the scope of treatment of lower extremity wounds.