Management of partial-thickness burn wounds by amniotic membrane: a cost-effective treatment in developing countries

Burns incidence in our country has been on the increase over the past two decades. Cost-effective management of burn wounds has become the prerogative as our annual budget for burn care is limited. We have used human amniotic membrane procured from HbSAg, HIV-seronegative mothers undergoing caesarean section as a temporary biological dressing on superficial and deep partial-thickness burns. The advantages of amniotic membrane cover are reduction in pain, early drying of the wound and epithelialization. This type of wound management has been used in 350 cases. It has reduced the number of days stay in hospital and the bulky dressings that are conventional. Considering the patient acceptability, reduced hospital stay and reduction in cost, we find that treatment of superficial and deep partial-thickness burns with amniotic membrane is ideal for a developing country.