New Technique for Amniotic Fluid Sac Rupture

A new technique has been developed to repair a hole in the sac holding the amniotic fluid and the fetus, which failed to close following the puncture of amniocentesis. Although such failure is uncommon, it allows the amniotic fluid to escape, and without the fluid, the fetal lungs cannot develop.

Dr. Ruben Quintero, director of the Florida Institute for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, St. Joseph's Women's Hospital (Tampa, USA), and colleagues have pioneered the use of this so-called "amniopatch.” To seal the leaking membranes, they use the mother's blood platelets together with cryoprecipitate, which they inject into the sac to seal the hole. Afterward, the sac fills again with fluid, since the fetus's urine is a large component of amniotic fluid by that stage. Dr. Quintero says the amniopatch will not work for women with spontaneous membrane ruptures, probably because such tears are likely to be larger than those made by needle punctures.

Although the number of ruptures caused by amniocentesis is low, so many women have the procedure that it causes a significant number of miscarriages. Ruptures can also be caused by fetal surgery or infection.