[Effects of Human Acellular Amniotic Membrane on Postsurgical Recovery of Nail Beds]

To determine the effects of human acellular amniotic membrane(HAAM) on postsurgical recovery of nail beds.

Patients undergoing nail surgery were randomly divided into two groups: 19 in the experimental and 19 in the control groups. Patients in the experimental group were given HAAM before the wounds were covered with vaseline gauze the next day after surgery; whereas those in the control group received vaseline gauze dressing only. Ratings of pain were recorded when 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h after the dressing was changed. The time when the wounds healed and the nail grew thoroughly were observed.

The characteristics of patients in the two groups were similar. The patients in the experimental group reported significantly less pain at 4 h and 48 h than those in the control group ( P<0.05). After dress changing 24 h, pain disappear in the experimental group. The wounds of the patients in the experimental group also healed quicker [(12.37±2.48) d] than those in the control group [(17.68±2.86) d, P<0.05]. It took (13.95±1.72) weeks for the patients in the experimental group to have their nails grown completely, compared with (15.63±2.00) weeks for those in the control group ( P=0.016). The experimental group had a similar degree of satisfaction (7.61±1.38) towards the cosmetic appearance of their nails compare the control group (7.58±1.18, P=0.919).

HAAM can promote healing of surgical wounds on nail beds.