Amniotic Membrane in the Treatment of Hard-to-Heal Wounds

Abstract

Chronic or hard to heal wounds result in protracted healing trajectories that place a significant burden on both the patient and the society. Wounds that are classified as hard to heal often result in management challenges for which adjunctive therapies are indicated to assist in the healing process. Adjunctive therapy in wound management refers to additional treatment methods that are used to support or enhance the effectiveness of the primary wound therapy. Several types of adjunctive therapies are available, each with its own merit. Adjunctive therapy is used in conjunction with standard wound care practices to promote healing and assist in preventing complications. In the race against increasing costs, an aging population and increased incidence and prevalence of debilitating co-morbid conditions like diabetes, clinicians need to be innovative in the utilization of recourses that could assist in improving outcomes for patients that suffer from chronic or hard to heal wounds. The use of adjunctive therapy like amniotic membrane (AM) is supported by elevated levels of evidence in that this therapy could, when incorporated into an evidence-based standard of care regime, support or enhance the effectiveness of care and improve outcomes for patients suffering with chronic or hard to heal wounds. The following sections will give an overview of chronic wound healing, where in the treatment algorithm an adjunctive therapy like amniotic membrane could be utilized as well as the practical application of amniotic membrane.