A Prospective Study of 20 Foot and Ankle Wounds Treated with Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane and Fluid Allograft
We reviewed the background information and previous clinical studies that considered the use of allogeneic
amniotic tissue and fluid (granulized amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid) in the treatment of chronic
diabetic foot wounds. This innovation represents a relatively new approach to wound management by
delivering a unique allograft of live human cells in a nonimmunogenic structural tissue matrix. Developed to
fill soft tissue defects and bone voids and to convey antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory capabilities,
granulized amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid does not require fetal death, because its procurement is
performed with maternal consent during birth. In the present investigation, 20 chronic wounds (20 patients)
that had been treated with standard wound therapy for a mean of 36.6 31.58 weeks and with a mean
baseline area of 10.15 19.54 cm2 were followed up during a 12-week observation period or until they healed.
A total of 18 of the wounds (90%) healed during the 12-week observation period, and none of the wounds
progressed to amputation. From our experience with the patients in the present case series, we believe that
granulized amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid represents a useful option for the treatment of chronic
diabetic foot wounds.