The Use of Amniotic Membrane for Peripheral Nerve Injury in Lower Extremity Surgical Procedures

CATEGORY: Basic Sciences/Biologics; Other INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Patients undergoing nerve decompression surgery often report persistent symptoms. Some have suggested that wrapping the affected nerve with amniotic membrane may improve outcomes if the nerve is wrapped with amniotic membrane at the time of surgery, possibly related to anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, or pro-regenerative effects. There is little in the foot and ankle literature to support such approaches. The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the initial safety of amniotic membrane use outcomes in foot and ankle surgery during nerve decompression procedures as an initial study in anticipation of a randomized, prospective trial. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed outcomes among 22 patients, >=18 years old, who had undergone amniotic membrane neurorrhaphy for lower extremity nerves including sural, saphenous, superficial peroneal, common peroneal, deep peroneal, digital (Morton's neuroma), Baxter's and posterior tibial nerve. Patients may have had multiple nerves wrapped and have had other procedures done. All patients had failed conservative treatments including cortisone injections, orthotics, nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy. Patients' demographics, postoperative complications, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), and preoperative/postoperative Visual Analog Scores (VAS) for pain was collected. Data were reported in a descriptive manner. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients, 16 females and 6 males averaging 51 years of age were assessed. Only one patient of the twenty- two reported a higher postoperative VAS compared to the preoperative VAS. There were no post-operative infections or reactions to the amniotic membrane. No patient required repeat surgery. The average pre- and post-operative VAS were 6.36 and 2.77, respectively. The average PROMs Pain Interference and Pain Intensity (Short Form 4a and 3a, respectively) were 42.02 and 35.94, respectively, that were within the normal range. CONCLUSION: The use of amniotic membrane wrap in lower extremity nerve decompression procedures was shown to be safe regarding post-operative short-term complications in this series of patients. However, in order to prove the usefulness of this technique for pain and function improvement, further studies with larger populations, particularly randomized clinical trials with long term follow up are necessary.