Topical Application of Purified Amniotic Fluid Accelerated Healing of Full-Thickness Burns, Negating the Need for Skin Grafts: A Case Report

Abstract

Full-thickness burns almost always require skin grafting because the severity prevents the natural regenerative process. Here, we illustrate the potential to promote natural skin regeneration utilizing growth factors and regenerative proteins in purified amniotic fluid (PAF). A 24-year-old female suffered from full-thickness burns to her legs resulting from a rogue firework. This initiated a treatment plan involving extensive rehabilitation and skin grafting. Instead, the patient was treated with PAF (4 mL) administered topically over 2 days. Forty-five minutes following application, her pain decreased from 10/10 to 2/10. After two treatments her overall recovery time decreased by 75%–leaving her physicians surprised at the obviated need for skin grafting. Topical PAF relieved pain within minutes, making it easier to clean the affected area, enhancing sleep, and allowing more range of motion and autonomy. The efficiency of PAF to reduce pain allowed the patient to discontinue the use of prescribed hydrocodone, an opioid that is fueling an epidemic of abuse and addiction. Accelerated recovery time allowed the patient to return to work sooner, having broader economic implications on medical costs and personal time off. Finally, PAF enhanced the body’s own capacity to heal itself, avoiding painful and costly grafting and decreasing additional donor site scarring.