Author(s): Agnieszka Klama-Baryla, Wojciech Labus, Diana Kitala, Malgorzata Kraut, Marek Kawecki
Amniotic membrane is a good protection against bacterial infections, reduces losses of proteins, fluids and electrolytes, decreases pain from burns and accelerates healing. Due to its richness in nutrients and low immunogenicity, it is often used as a skin substitute. Human amnion may be prepared in tissue banks, as biostatic or biovital grafts. There are various methods of amniotic graft preparations developed to make them efficient in surgical treatment and prevent the risk of transmission of infectious diseases. This paper presents the current clinical application of human amnion in the treatment of skin losses, such as burns to the face and Lyell's syndrome (toxic epidermal necrolysis). It also describes new applications of fetal membranes for other diseases. Placental grafts are often an alternative therapy in the situations when standard treatment does not yield desirable effects. Such grafts are especially beneficial in comparison to many other bioactive therapies, including low cost, easy manipulation, capability of promoting cell migration and proliferation and stimulation of stem cell activity.