Utilization of a Viable Human Amnion Membrane Allograft in Elderly Patients With Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds of Various Etiologies.

ntroduction. Chronic nonhealing wounds are a growing health care problem in the United States, afflicting more than 6.5 million patients annually. In particular, diseases that compromise skin integrity and impair normal wound healing processes, such as diabetes and peripheral vascular diseases, are becoming more common in the aging population and leading to ever-increasing incidence of these chronic nonhealing wounds.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate a viable human amnion membrane allograft (vHAMA) for the treatment of chronic nonhealing wounds in elderly patients (aged > 65 years) with multiple comorbidities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four patients (age range, 69-85 years) with 5 chronic wounds of varying etiologies and sizes (2 traumatic wounds, 2 diabetic foot ulcers, and 1 venous leg ulcer) that persisted for at least 4 weeks and failed previous treatment with standard of care were included in this study. Comorbidities included diabetes mellitus, obesity, polymyalgia rheumatica, lymphedema, peripheral vascular disease, steroid use, and neuropathy. All patients received vHAMA once weekly or as deemed appropriate.

RESULTS: All patients reached complete wound closure with no complications or adverse events. Mean time to closure was 4.8 weeks (range, 2-8 weeks) with an average of 4.2 grafts (range, 1-8). There was no wound recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS: Successful closure of wounds indicates the use of vHAMA may be beneficial for treatment of chronic wounds in elderly patients with comorbidities.