Amniopatch, a repairing technique for premature rupture of amniotic membranes in second trimester.

Abstract. Rupture of the amniotic sac complicates approximately 0.8-1% of amniocentesis procedures carriedout between the 15 th and 18 th gestational weeks. Spontaneous PROM during the second and third trimesteris, however, more frequent. In both cases the rate of fetal morbidity and mortality are very high. Infusion ofan autolologous platelet concentrate followed by cryoprecipitates (amniopatch) restore the amnio-corial linkinterrupted by the iatrogenic trauma, thus making the amniotic repair processes even more effective. Fivecases of premature membrane rupture in pregnancies ranging from 17 to 23 weeks have been treated withcomplete closure of the rupture and restoration of a normal amount of amniotic fluid in two cases and in-complete in the other three cases. Neonatal outcome, in accordance to the gestational stage reached by thepatient, was good in three cases (41,32 and 27 weeks), complicated by brain hemorrage in the fourth and anabortion in fifth case. Amniopatch is able to physiologically facilitate this process and significantly prolongthe pregnancy, improving neonatal outcome.