Amnion cells engineering: A new perspective in fetal membrane healing after intrauterine surgery?

In this study we aimed to set up an in vitro culture of the rabbit
amnion in order to support in vivo fetal membrane healing capacity
following fetoscopy. Fetal membranes were collected from a mid-
gestational rabbit, and cultured on collagen support material for
14 days. 34 rabbits at 22 - 23 days gestational age ( GA) underwent
fetoscopy. The entry site was randomly allocated to 4 closure
technique study groups: group I, human amnion membrane ( n = 23);
group II, collagen foil ( n = 16); group III, collagen plug ( n =
19), and group IV, collagen plug with cultured amnion cells ( n =
19). In all groups membrane access sites were additionally sealed
with fibrin sealant, and the myometrium was closed with sutures.
Fetal survival, amnion membrane integrity, and the presence of
amniotic fluid were evaluated at 30 days GA. Cultures showed good
survival in the collagen support material. Increased cellularity,
survival and proliferations were observed. The amnion at the access
site resealed in 58 - 64% of cases in groups II - IV, but none of
the tested techniques was significantly better than the other.
Histological examination indirectly revealed the anatomic repair of
the membranes, since no entrapment of the membranes could be
demonstrated in the myometrial wound. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger
AG, Basel.