Amniotic membrane grafts, "fresh" or frozen? A clinical and in vitro comparison.
OBJECTIVE
The use of "fresh" (hypothermically stored) and frozen amniotic membrane (AM) was compared in a patient with cicatricial pemphigoid with stem cell failure. The viability of both "fresh" and frozen AM epithelial cells was assessed after storage.


METHODS
AM was stored at either +4 degrees C ("fresh") or at -80 degrees C (frozen). A "fresh" graft was applied to the cornea following superficial keratectomy. Subsequently, a further frozen graft was applied to the same eye. Viability of the stored AM epithelium was assessed by investigating membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity.


RESULTS
In both cases the cornea re-epithelialised and visual acuity improved. Improvement, however, was not sustained.


CONCLUSIONS
Although both procedures led to an improvement in visual acuity, "fresh" tissue performed no better than frozen in promoting re-epithelialisation. The authors suggest that logistical, safety, and cost considerations outweigh any benefits of using "fresh" as opposed to frozen graft material.
Adds
P J
PJ
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Queen Mary Westfield College, Mile End, London E1 4NS, UK. p.j.adds@qmw.ac.uk
Hunt
C J
CJ
Dart
J K
JK
D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010390:Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D014022:Tissue Survival; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome