VERSATILITY OF HUMAN AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE IN ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY.

Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the versatility of Human Amniotic Membrane (HAM) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Method: This prospective study included 15 patients having post surgical soft tissue defect requiring primary wound coverage with HAM. Patients were evaluated on subjective (pain and sensory response) and objective parameters (swelling, mouth opening, epithelization, mucosal suppleness & scar contracture) over a period of more than 6 months. Result: Results showed significant improvement in pain. In OSMF cases, mouth opening was significantly increased when compared to pre-op mouth opening. Swelling was found to decrease on 7th post op day. The entire patient showed good sensory response (100%). Epithelization was good while one patient presented with reoccurrence. Mucosal suppleness and scar contracture was good in 93.3% patients while only 6.7% patient presented with poor mucosal suppleness and scar contracture. Conclusion: Clinical acceptability and applicability of HAM with diverse properties makes it a versatile allograft material in maxillofacial reconstruction of soft tissue defects.