Amniotic membrane reduces wound size in early stages of the healing process

Objective: To investigate the effects of dispase de-epithelialised, glycerol cryopreserved amniotic membrane (AM) on full-thickness skin defects, using a rat model. Method: Skin defects of 15mm diameter were surgically created and measured on the scalps of 53 male rats. Animals were divided into two groups and followed for 0, 3, 7, 14 or 21 days. AM group wounds were covered with de-epithelialised AM and sodium chloride-moistened Aquacel (ConvaTec Inc.); control group wounds were covered with sodium chloride-moistened Aquacel alone. After the follow-up, wounds were measured again, serum samples were taken and wound sites were harvested for histological analysis. Systemic interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were analysed from serum. Results: On day 3, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was observed in mean wound size, with wound size in the AM group smaller than in the control group (60 ± 12% vs 81 ± 13% of the original size); other time points showed no significance difference in wound size between...