The Use of Amniotic Membrane in the Treatment of Hand Contractures in Patients Afflicted with Epidermolysis Bullosa

Introduction & Patient with epidermolysis bullosa face multiple problems during their life. One of the most debilitating and challenging complications is hand contracture which has not had a successful treatment so far. Evaluating the effectiveness of amniotic membrane in the treatment of hand contractures in patients with epidermolysis bullosa has been shown. Ten patients aged between 5-10years entered into this study. Hand contractures were released and covered with amniotic membrane as a biological dressing instead of skin graft. In four patients chorionic membrane was applied for the right hand and in six patients amniotic membrane was used for the left hand, and the outcomes for the two hands were compared. Amniotic membrane facilitated re-epithelialization in our patients. There was a significant improvement in hand function. We did not find any recurrence in our patients. Using plancenta's membranes specially amniotic as a biological dressing is easy to perform and can be an excellent alternative to skin grafts.