The Effects of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation on Vocal Fold Regeneration

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis Vocal fold (VF) scar and sulcus cause severe vocal problems, but optimal methods have not been established. Total replacement of the mucosa is required particularly for cases in which the whole lamina propria is occupied by severe fibrosis and vibratory function is totally lost. The amniotic membrane (AM) has been proven to have regenerative potential, as it contains stem cells and growth factors. The current study investigated the biocompatibility and effects of AM for regeneration of the VF mucosa. Study Design In vitro and in vivo studies. Methods Vocal fold fibroblasts (VFFs) from 13 Sprague–Dawley rats were seeded on AM and subjected to histology and immunohistochemistry, and gene expressions in the VFFs on AM were examined in in vitro study. Twelve New Zealand White rabbits were used in in vivo study. VFs were stripped down and were reconstructed with AM. The regenerative effects were examined 3 months later by histological examination. Results In vitro study indicated VFFs survived on AM and stained positively for Ki67, vimentin, and fibronectin. Gene expressions of Has1, Has2, and Hgf were significantly increased in the VFFs on AM compared with the other groups. The in vivo study indicated AM‐transplanted VFs showed a significantly higher density of hyaluronic acid and lower density of collagen compared with sham VFs. Conclusions The current preliminary study suggests biocompatibility and possible regenerative effects of AM for VFs. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 132:2017–2025, 2022

Histological Assessment of The Regenerative Potential of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Severe Vocal Fold Scar in A Rat Model

“…Surgery was conducted as described previously on 10 tenweek-old male rats [24][25][26][27][28]. The right side of the rat vocal folds was entirely stripped using a 22-gauge needle, and the lamina propria was removed using micro-forceps until the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle was visible, which has been confirmed to create severe scar of the vocal fold at 2 months after the stripping.…”