The use of amniotic membrane in acute massive full-thickness loss of the abdominal wall from clostridial myonecrosis.

A patient who developed clostridial infection of the abdominal wall following laparotomy for small bowel perforation is described. Immediate debridement resulted in the loss of the entire abdominal wall. Dressing of the exposed viscera during the period of stabilization and prior to reconstruction was achieved using amniotic membranes.