Umbilical Cord Amniotic Membrane Graft as a Skin Substitute in Periocular Reconstruction: A Case Series

Loss of periocular skin due to cancer, trauma, or surgery is a major reconstructive challenge; resultant tissue contracture can cause eyelid malposition with poor functional and aesthetic outcomes. The authors describe the successful use of cryopreserved umbilical cord amniotic membrane as a wound covering and scaffold for periorbital anterior lamellar defects. This is a retrospective case series of 4 patients (mean 21 years, range 9-30 years, 3 male) who underwent periocular reconstruction with umbilical cord amniotic membrane of 9 different sites. Follow-up time ranged from 10 to 22 months. All wounds healed successfully with a good functional eyelid position. Umbilical cord amniotic membrane is readily available, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, provides a structural scaffold for cell adhesion and growth, and contains biological factors that promote cell proliferation/remodeling. The authors demonstrate that the umbilical cord amniotic membrane is an effective substitute for full-thickness skin grafting in the periocular area, particularly with skin loss secondary to burns and/or trauma.