The Effect of Amniotic Membrane Ointment on Prevention of Adhesion in Strabismus Surgery in Rabbits

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The authors investigated the anti-inflammatory and the anti-fibrotic effect of amniotic membrane ointment on preventing adhesion in strabismus surgery in the rabbits. METHODS: Recession of superior rectus muscle was performed in 64 eyes of 32 rabbits and then the 32 rabbits were divided into 4 groups each 16 eyes of 8 rabbits. control group received no more treatment. 0.04% mitomycin C, base ointment, and amniotic membrane ointment were applied to the other trial groups respectively. Histopathologic studies was performed in 3 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 12 weeks and evaluated the change of inflammation and fibrosis. The degree of inflammatory cell infiltration was evaluated on H and E stain and the degree of fibrosis was evaluated on Masson-trichrome stain. An immunohistochemical stain for alpha-smooth muscle actin was done for detection of myofibroblasts. RESULTS: On postoperation 3 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, the amniotic membrane ointment group and the mitomycin C group showed less inflammatory cell infiltration than control group(P<0.05). Masson-trichrome stain showed less fibrosis in the amniotic membrane ointment group and the mitomycin C group. The degree of immunohistochemical stain for alpha-smooth muscle actin was observed to be lower in the mitomycin C group and amniotic membrane ointment group than in the other groups during all period of observation. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane ointment might be effective adjuvant for prevention of postoperative adhesion in strabismus surgery.