Effects of amniotic membrane on wound healing and adhesions in experimental strabismus surgery

To evaluate the efficiency of amniotic membrane in prevention of adhesion formation after strabismus surgery.A prospective, controlled study was conducted on 20 eyes of 10 pigmented rabbits. After disinsertion of the superior rectus muscle, under the muscle insertion area to induce adhesion formation, a partial-thickness 4 x 4 mm sclerectomy was performed in both eyes. In the right eyes, a piece of appropriate size human amniotic membrane was sutured on the sclerectomy site. As the control group, left eyes were operated with a similar procedure but without amniotic membrane transplantation. After 2 months, both eyes were enucleated to perform histopathologic examination.There was no adhesion between the sclera and muscle in the amniotic membrane group; however, there were various degrees of adhesions in the control group (p=0.004). Fibrosis in rectus muscle was present in 40% of the specimens in the amniotic membrane group and 90% in the control group with a higher grade (p=0.023). The mean number of inflammatory cells was significantly higher in the amniotic membrane group (p=0.005).According to our results, amniotic membrane has antifibrotic effect but no anti-inflammatory effect in rabbit eyes due to possible xenograft reaction to human tissues. It is effective in prevention of adhesion formation with possible physical barrier action.