ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the ability of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to seal an iatrogenic fetal membrane defect. METHODS: First, we evaluated the stability of a PRP plug in an amniotic fluid environment. Further, we evaluated the sealing capability of PRP plugs in an in vitro model that mimics a fetoscopic membrane defect. Finally, we examined its influence on membrane repair and cell proliferation in monolayer cell cultures and amnion-chorion tissue explants. RESULTS: PRP plugs persisted in an amniotic fluid for a median time of 7 weeks. PRP plugs also provided waterproof sealing of a fetoscopic membrane defect. Finally, PRP stimulated cell proliferation in a monolayer cell culture and provided a good matrix for cell proliferation and migration in amnion-chorion tissue explants. CONCLUSION: Our in vitro experiments suggest that PRP plugs may provide a long-lasting, waterproof sealing of fetal membrane defects and stimulate fetal membrane repair.
