title: In vitro evaluation of the ability of platelet-rich plasma to seal an iatrogenic fetal membrane defect.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our in vitro experiments suggest that PRP plugs may provide a long-lasting, waterproof sealing of fetal membrane defects and stimulate fetal membrane repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Woman and Child, Division Woman, Laboratory Experimental Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, K.U.Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lewi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liekens
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heyns
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poliard
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beutels
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deprest
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hoylaerts