Clinical application and evaluation of hyperdried human amniotic membrane for the surgical repair of oral mucosal defects

The amniotic membrane is highly biocompatible, possesses anti-inflammatory properties, and has been used for reconstructive surgeries in various areas. However, there have been persistent problems related to its preparation, storage, and sterilization. Hyperdried human amniotic membrane (HD-AM) was developed at the Toyama University to resolve these problems of fresh amnion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of the surgical repair of oral mucosal defects by using HD-AM. In total, 29 patients with oral precancerous lesions or early-stage cancer were included. After resection of the oral lesions, surgical defects of the oral mucosa were covered with HD-AM in 15 patients (HD-AM group) and with commercial collagen graft material in 14 patients (CGM group). Postoperative pain, feeding state, epithelialization, the scarring of the wound, and oral function were evaluated. The postoperative medication period of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use was significantly shorter (P = 0.0457) and the recovery period for resumption of oral feeding was also significantly earlier (P = 0.0414) in the HD-AM group than in the CGM group, without specific complications. HD-AM reduced the postoperative inflammation; it can be used as a novel dressing material for the surgical repair of oral mucosal defects.