Efficacy of fibrin glue for in vitro sealing of human chorioamniotic membranes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the changes in tensile strength properties of artificially punctured chorioamniotic membranes after sealing the defect with fibrin glue, a tissue sealant.


METHODS
Chorioamniotic membranes were obtained from 30 term, uncomplicated pregnancies immediately after delivery. Adjacent, same-sized strips were cut from each membrane sample. After baseline tensile strength properties were obtained, identical size holes were made on each strip, and fibrin glue was applied onto half the specimens. Following adequate stabilization of fibrin, tensile strength properties--rupture tension, strain to rupture and work to rupture--were measured.


RESULTS
Membrane puncture decreased the tensile strength characteristics, indicating weakening of the chorioamniotic membranes: Rupture tension (g/cm) dropped from 153.1 +/- 12.3 to 76.8 +/- 15.7; strain to rupture (%) from 193.9 +/- 29.9 to 152.6 +/- 36.8; and work to rupture (g x cm) from 560.8 +/- 51.8 to 239.0 +/- 65.5 (P < .05). Significant increases were noted in rupture tension (116.0 +/- 19.6), strain to rupture (173.5 +/- 30.8) and work to rupture (394.3 +/- 91.3) after application of fibrin glue; however, all three measurements remained less than prepuncture values (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Fibrin glue effectively improved the structural integrity of artificially punctured chorioamniotic membranes.
Harmanli
O H
OH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Wapner
R J
RJ
Lontz
J F
JF
D000650:Amnion / Q000293:injuries*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002823:Chorion / Q000293:injuries*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000188:drug therapy; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012421:Rupture; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000188:drug therapy*
D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D014014:Tissue Adhesives