In vitro laser welding of amniotic membranes.
OBJECTIVE
To test in vitro the feasibility of welding amniotic membranes using Nd:YAG laser energy.


METHODS
Fresh fetal membranes from term pregnancies were washed and cut into 1 cm2 pieces. Pooled cryoprecipitate (CPT), 50% albumin (Alb), or polytetrafluoroethilene (e-PTFE) were used as solder medium. The optimal settings of the laser were determined. Results were assessed quantitatively and semi-quantitatively using Pearson Chi-square analysis.


RESULTS
Laser welding of amniotic membranes was successful in 82.6% of experiments with e-PTFE and in 10.7% of experiments with CPT (P < 0.001). The strength of the welding was also significantly better with e-PTFE (P < 0.001). Optimal results were obtained using 1-7 Watts and 0.1-1 seconds. Laser welding was unsuccessful in 100% of experiments with Alb.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser welding of fetal membranes can be accomplished with e-PTFE and to a lesser degree with the CPT using Nd:YAG energy under low wattage-high exposure settings. Further studies are underway to test other grafting or soldering materials.
Florida Institute for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, St. Joseph's Women's Hospital, Tampa, USA.
G A
GA
Mendoza
E
E
Acuña
M
M
Allen
J
J
Arroyo
R A
RA
Quintero
D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011247:Pregnancy
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene