Treatment by autologous amniopatch of premature rupture of membranes following mid-trimester amniocentesis

Application of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine in Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: a Review of the Current Evidence

Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) is the main cause of preterm delivery, resulting in increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Several techniques have been studied for the healing of ruptured membranes, with some success. Before new techniques using tissue/organ engineering are applied in clinical practice, these techniques must be validated in clinical trials. To address this issue, the objective of this study was to summarize the current literature on interventions to seal or heal the amniotic membranes after PPROM. An electronic search was conducted using the keywords "fetal membranes," "premature rupture," "amnion," "tissue engineering," "fibrin tissue adhesive," "regenerative medicine," "tissue adhesive," "wound healing," and "fetoscopy" through the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases, with the limitation of English-language studies. Through a review of the identified studies, it was found that spontaneous healing of the fetal membrane has not been successful. Several efforts have been made to seal membranes before or after rupture using different methods, including amniopatches, collagen, tissue patches, fibrin sealant, mussel-mimetic sealant, engineered cell matrix, and immunological supplements. However, most studies have been conducted in ex vivo or in vivo settings, so the safety and applicability of these techniques to spontaneous rupture of membranes in clinical settings have not been sufficiently tested. Overall, the current evidence is limited regarding the safety and effectiveness of interventions against PPROM.

Severe midtrimester oligohydramnios: treatment strategies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nearly 1% of pregnancies are affected by some type of midtrimester oligohydramnios. Evidence is currently accumulating that suggests the better efficacy of the new therapeutic procedures relative to conventional management. This review summarizes the available evidence.

RECENT FINDINGS

The prolongation of the period between the diagnosis of oligohydramnios and delivery following amnioinfusion and amniopatch techniques appears to be strongly associated with the gestational age and whether the situation was based on rupture of the membranes or not. Case series reveal that amnioinfusion significantly improves the perinatal outcome and prolongs the pregnancy in severe second-trimester oligohydramnios in both idiopathic cases and those involving rupture of the amniotic membranes [preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM)]. There is clear evidence of a lower frequency of perinatal complications and successfully prolonged gestation in iatrogenic PPROM after the amniopatch technique relative to population controls.

SUMMARY

Identification of potentially modifiable risk factors for the successful prolongation of pregnancy complicated with midtrimester oligohydramnios, and previable PPROM is needed for the improvement of treatment strategies and prognosis. Randomized trials are needed to determine whether amniotic fluid-replenishing strategies can improve pregnancy outcomes.

Amniopatch for iatrogenic rupture of the fetal membranes

With the increased use of invasive fetal procedures, the number of women facing post-procedure membrane rupture is increasing. Here we review the use of platelets and fresh frozen plasma for sealing iatrogenic fetal membrane defects by describing the mechanisms of action of the amniopatch procedure as well as published experience. In cases of iatrogenic preterm pre-labour rupture of the membranes, amniopatch effectively seals the fetal membranes in over two-thirds of cases. There is a risk of 16% of in utero fetal death, which may occur at varying intervals from the procedure and often for unknown reasons. Amniopatch has also been used as a treatment of chorionic membrane separation. In summary, current experience suggests that in cases of early onset but persistent amniotic fluid leakage following an invasive fetal procedure, amniopatch is an option.

[Amniopatch to treat iatrogenic rupture of the fetal membranes]

OBJECTIVE

With the increased use of invasive fetal procedures, the number of patients facing postprocedure membrane rupture is increasing. We aimed to describe the use of platelets and fresh frozen plasma for sealing iatrogenic fetal membrane defects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We describe the mechanisms of action of the amniopatch procedure as well as published experience.

RESULTS

Amniopatch effectively sealed the fetal membranes in over two thirds of published cases (n=44). There is a risk of 17% of in utero fetal death, which may occur remotely from the procedure and is often unexplained.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In case of early onset but persistent amniotic fluid leakage following an invasive fetal procedure, amniopatch may be offered.