Use of human amniotic membrane as a biologic dressing

Human amniotic membranes have been used successfully for over 70 years for a wide range of surgical applications. This readily available, inexpensive, easily stored allograft has almost no antigenicity and has considerable antibacterial potential. Ability to reduce occurrence of exudate, adhesions, drying and scarring in surface defects are further properties of this remarkable membrane. Apart from specific otolaryngologic applications of amniotic membranes previously reported by our group, we use human amnion for overlaying epithelial defects after flap necrosis following surgery in the head and neck area, and in covering free skin graft donor regions, with good results. Properties of the human amniotic membrane are reviewed and discussed.