title: Mussel-mimetic tissue adhesive for fetal membrane repair: a standardized ex vivo evaluation using elastomeric membranes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of membranes (iPPROM), the main complication of invasive interventions in the prenatal period, seriously limits the benefit of diagnostic or surgical prenatal procedures. This study aimed to evaluate preventive plugging of punctured fetal membranes in an ex vivo situation using a new mussel-mimetic tissue adhesive (mussel glue) to inhibit leakage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A novel biomechanical test device that tests the closure of injured membranes under near-physiological conditions was used. Mussel glue, a poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogel, was used to seal membrane defects of up to 3 mm in mechanically well-defined elastomeric membranes with three different degrees of stiffness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Elastomeric test membranes were successfully employed for testing mussel glue under well-defined conditions. Mussel glue plugs were distended by up to 94%, which translated to an improved sealing efficiency on elastomeric membranes with high stiffness. For the stiffest membrane tested, a critical burst pressure of 48 mbar (36 mmHg) was accomplished in this ex vivo setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mussel glue appears to efficiently seal membrane defects under well-standardized ex vivo conditions. As repaired membranes resist pressures measured in amniotic cavities, mussel glue might represent a novel sealing method for iatrogenic membrane defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Haller
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Buerzle
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Brubaker
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Messersmith
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ochsenbein-Koelble
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ehrbar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000592:standards; D020724:Elastomers; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020724:Elastomers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014014:Tissue Adhesives