How Does Human Amniotic Membrane Help Major Burn Patients Who Need Skin Grafting: New Experiences

Burns are among the most common traumas in developing countries, which consume large amounts of medical resources. It is important to find an appropriate material for dressing of burn wounds that improves healing and is readily available, easily applicable, and economical and also be protective from infection and desiccation, and facilitate healing. [1] Most burn injuries happen in people with lower socio-economic class. Therefore, reducing the expenses of burn treatment is an important goal alongside healing as the primary aim. [2] Amniotic membrane has been used since 1910 with variable success as a material for burn injury coverage. [3] It has the following advantages:  readily available in sufficient quantity  application not associated with immunological problems  large size  simple to prepare and sterilize  no allergic reactions  up to 15% reduction of water losses in wounds  histological structure similar to that of skin [4,5] The disadvantage of the use of amniotic membrane is that there is some risk of viral infection transmission, e.g. hepatitis, syphilis and AIDS. [4]. Two varieties of amniotic membrane are mainly used:  in Toto (amnion + chorion) on deep burns  amnion alone (epithelium + basal membrane) on superficial burns[3] The amnion is a thin semi-transparent tissue forming the innermost layer of the fetal membrane. As fresh amnion carries contamination risk and disease transmission, amnion is collected from placentae of selected and screened donors. Various preservation methods have been introduced, including cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen, preservation in silver