Up-to-date role of the dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (AMNIOFIX) for wound healing

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Chronic wounds pose a significant burden on patients, society, and the health-care setup. Higher costs, protracted clinical course, and increased risk of complications necessitate identifying novel treatment modalities that hasten healing and wound closure.

Areas covered

This article covers newer available treatment modalities for chronic wounds, namely the dehydrated amniotic membrane products, biological skin substitutes, and similar therapies aimed at the healing of chronic non-healing wounds. It presents product description for Amniofix (dehydrated human amniotic/chorionic membrane) and its efficacy, compared to other similar products.

Expert opinion

In our experience and review of available literature, we expect Amniofix to offer wound care specialists with a more effective, easy-to-use, and convenient treatment modality for chronic wounds. Amniofix and other dHACM (dehydrated human amniotic/chorionic membrane) therapies reported faster and complete healing with lower complication rates, when compared to other similar products. These features encourage the use of Amniofix in Diabetic foot ulcers and Venous Leg Ulcers, besides other conditions such as plantar fasciitis.

KEYWORDS:

• Wound healing
• amniotic membrane
• chronic wounds
• dHACM
• Amniofix

Article highlights

• Chronic non-healing wounds of diabetic etiology or venous insufficiency pose a significant financial, social, and psychological burden on the health-care system.

• Amniofix and similar dHACM therapies provide structural, cell –binding and growth factors, such as collagen, elastin, fibronectin, and proteoglycans to the wound bed, which aid in wound healing.

• dHACM application provides an easy-to-use, reliable alternative for chronic wounds, with an overall reduction of total cost of treatment, complications, and non-healing of hard to heal wounds.

• Amniofix application results in faster wound healing and higher complete wound closure rates with fewer graft applications.

• Weekly application of Amniofix provides better wound closure, compared with bi-weekly application.

• dHACM application can be used in Diabetic ulcers, Venous leg ulcers, Neuropathic ulcers, Pressure sores, Plantar fasciitis and third-degree burns

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants, or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper is not funded.