Amniotic Membrane for Reducing the Formation of Adhesions in Strabismus Surgery: Experimental Study in Rabbits

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of amniotic membrane in reducing inflammation, fibrosis, adhesion formation, and ocular motility restrictions following strabismus surgery. METHODS: In the first stage of this prospective, randomized study, 17 rabbits underwent superior rectus muscle recession in both eyes. Surgery was performed in the same manner, but human amniotic membrane was placed over the muscle without sutures in the right eye after recession. After 15 days, the rabbits were killed and their orbits were exenterated and evaluated histopathologically to quantify tissue inflammation and fibrosis. In the second stage, 5 rabbits underwent the same procedure but were killed after 30 days. A dynamometer was used to measure the force required to displace all eyes. RESULTS: At 15 days postoperatively, eyes with amniotic membrane exhibited an increased inflammatory response and less fibrosis than eyes without amniotic membrane. At 30 days postoperatively, eyes with amniotic membrane continued to exhibit increased inflammation and less fibrosis than eyes without amniotic membrane. In the dynamometer test, more force was needed to displace eyes without amniotic membrane after 15 days, but there was no significant difference between the forces required at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Human amniotic membrane in rabbits led to an increase in the inflammatory process and a decrease in fibrosis formation following strabismus surgery.