Amniotic Membrane Dressing vs Conventional Topical Antibiotic Dressing in Hospitalized Burn Patients

Different natural and synthetic materials were used for temporary burn wound coverage; however, they are associated with disadvantages including high price which prohibit their widespread use, especially in developing countries. Among all, human amniotic membrane is the only easily available and cost free coverage. Its effects on burn wounds have been studied in this survey. One-hundred and twenty four patients with 20-50% second and third degree burns and without any other disease were randomly assigned into two groups. The first 61 patients (control group) underwent traditional method of dressing with silver sulfadiazine and gauze which were changed twice a day. The remaining 63 patients underwent dressing with human amniotic membrane (amnion group), being changed every 3-4 days. Patients in the control group had significantly lower albumin and needed more albumin infusion (231.80±234 gr. versus 111.51±143.82 gr.), received more blood transfusion (1.75± 2.52 bags versus 0.65± 1.18 bags), had significantly more intense pain and so received more narcotics than amnion group (7.97±12.85doses versus 3.84±7.56). Wound infection was higher in the control group (65.66% versus 46.91%) and so was the incidence of sepsis (24.62% versus 6.10%). There was 8.53% mortality in the control group versus 0% in the amnion group. All of the above-mentioned differences were statistically significant. Amniotic membrane dressing in deep and more extensive burns leads to better homeostatic, immunologic and local results and because of its low price, its use is strongly recommended.