Neo vascularisation in chronic wounds with amniotic membrane dressing

Background: Amniotic membrane from placenta has unique properties likeenhanced wound healing through neovascularisation, analgesic, antiadhesive effects, bacteriostatic, without inducing immunological reactions. Aim: to quantify the neo vascularisation that occurs by applying amnioticmembrane as dressing in chronic non healing ulcers Material and Method: This is a randomized prospective pilot study done to evaluate effects of healing in chronic ulcers as evidenced by quantum of neo vascularisation by amniotic membrane application for a period of eight weeks in 15 patients. The amniotic membrane harvested from caesareansection is applied over ulcers and the patients are evaluated at first, second, fourth, sixth and eighth week. Results: There is 61% of reduction in ulcer size (p-value 0.000) with twocompletely healed ulcers at the end of study period. In the first two weeks there is faster rate of neovascularisation as seen by counting the numberof capillaries in an average of five high power fields (p-value 0.000), lateron there is congestion of vessels with formation of granulation tissue whichpeaks at fourth week (p-value 0.000), leading to reduction in ulcer size. Significant analgesia is found in all the patients (p-value 0.000). Conclusion: Amniotic membrane application enhanced neo vascularization in eight weeks time there by early healing of wound. The costeffectiveness, readily available, ease of application and better scarformation makes it a better choice for treating chronic ulcers.