Successful anatomic repair of fetoscopic access sites in the mid-gestational rabbit model using amnion cell engineering.

BACKGROUND/AIM Our aim was to evaluate the impact of in vitro cultured amnion cells, injected and/or seeded in different scaffolds, on in vivo fetal membrane repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS Amnion cells, isolated from allogeneic fetal membranes, were cultured on three different scaffolds for 14 to 21 days. In 33 mid-gestational rabbits, fetoscopic access sites were randomly allocated to four closure study groups: conventional collagen plug, as well as collagen plug, collagen foil, and fibrin glue as scaffolds for the cultured amnion cells. All membrane access sites were sealed with fibrin glue, and the myometrium closed with sutures. Fetal survival, amnion membrane integrity, and the presence of amniotic fluid were evaluated one week later. RESULTS Cultures showed good survival in the collagen scaffolds. The use of collagen plug as a scaffold for the in vitro cultured amnion cells improved the integrity of fetal membranes to 80%, better than that of any other study group. CONCLUSION Despite the need for additional studies, the present data suggest that amnion cells can be a practical and important source of cells for the engineering of constructs for sealing of the fetal membrane.