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Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of human amniotic membrane (HAM) on fracture healing in an animal model.
Methods: Standard tibial diaphysial fractures were created in twenty-eight Wistar-Albino rats and treated with intramedullary Kirschner wire (K-wire) and HAM (HAM (þ) group) or K-wire only (HAM (e) group). Fracture healing was evaluated by histological analysis, radiologic X-ray views and callus diameter measurements at 3rd and 6th weeks postoperatively.
Results: Fracture healing was histologically better in the HAM (þ) group and the difference was statistically significant at both 3rd and 6th weeks postoperatively (p < 0.05). The highest histologic scores and entire woven bone formation (Huo Stage 8e9) were obtained at 6th weeks postoperatively in the HAM (þ) group. Histological examination also revealed predominant fibrous tissue and partial cartilage formation (Huo Stage 2) at the postoperative 3rd week in the HAM (-) group. Equal amounts of woven bone and cartilage formation (Huo Stage 6e7) were observed at 3rd weeks postoperatively in the HAM (þ) group and at 6th weeks postoperatively in the HAM (-) group. The callus diameters were greater in the HAM (þ) group and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) at 3rd and 6th weeks postoperatively. Although there was only a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) at the postoperative 3rd week, radiological scores tended to be higher in the HAM (þ) group at both the 3rd and 6th weeks postoperatively.
Conclusion: HAM is a cheap and easily accessible alternative biological material. HAM may be used to support surgical treatment of fractures, particularly where bone healing is expected to last longer