Human amniotic membrane in diabetic foot healing processes: a retrospective study

Laura Maria Chisari¹, Grasso Antonino¹, Giuseppe Arcidiacono², Eleonora Margherita Chisari³ 

¹Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”,- University of Catania -Italy - ²Cardiological  Rehabilitation "ARNAS Garibaldi" Catania -Italy - ³Department of Education - University of Catania - Italy

Introduction: Bacterial skin infections represent a complex problem, especially for their degree of diffusion in intra- and extra-hospital environment and are identified and recognized with the term ABSSSI (acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections).  The human amniotic membrane HAM, contains several components of the extracellular matrix and a low immunogenicity that characterize an important therapeutic role. AA evaluated the therapeutic role of the human amniotic menbrane HAM in chronic infectious processes. 

Materials and methods: Sixteen type II diabetic subjects (5 F - 11 M mean age 61±5 years ) with chronic ulcerative diabetic foot lesions were evaluated in this retrospective study.All patients were treated with human amniotic membrane prepared using fresh human placenta. 

Results: For the clinical evaluation in the post-treatment and recisely after 15 weeks of grafting the following data were found: 56.2% scar in full resolution and the remaining 43.8% partial resolution. Histological evaluation of the explanted grafts showed a single layer of fairly compact skin cells.

Discussion-conclusion: Human amniotic membrane has proven to be an excellent dermal substitute in the treatment of difficult ulcers such as diabetic foot subjects leading to healing and improvement of skin lesions as well as quality of life of patients. These remedies have proven to be quite safe since human amniotic membranes are taken from donors undergoing elective cesarean delivery.