title: Amniotic membrane grafting in patients with epidermolysis bullosa with chronic wounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Severe forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) are characterized by chronic, nonhealing wounds.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to evaluate the usefulness of amniotic membranes in patients with EB.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of patients with EB who were treated with amniotic membranes (two patients, 8 applications) was conducted. The primary outcome measure was number of days to complete healing, and the secondary outcome measures were a qualitative wound score, a visual analog scale score, and potential adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of days to detect a significant clinical response, defined as greater than 50% improvement, was 40.3 +/- 21.2 days. The median qualitative wound score was 2 (range 0-5). The mean visual analog scale score at last follow-up was 31.4 +/- 26.8. No adverse events were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retrospective design, healing assessed by comparing photographs, and partial grafting of some wounds were limitations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This proof-of-concept study revealed the potential usefulness of amniotic membrane grafting in promoting healing of chronic wounds in patients with EB.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Venetia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lara-Corrales
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stuparich
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pope
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D001684:Biological Dressings; D004820:Epidermolysis Bullosa / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014945:Wound Healing