Evaluation of folded amniotic membrane and injectable amniotic membrane pieces as soft tissue filler materials

Objective: The search for safe and effective tissue fillers has been an ongoing effort for many years. Obtaining biological materials from patients can require additional incisions and brings surgical and cosmetic risks as a major disadvantage. The aim of this experimental study was, therefore, to evaluate the efficacy of folded amniotic membrane as a soft tissue filler and to assess its volume, and to investigate the possible usage of injectable amniotic membrane for augmentation. Methods: Multi-layer amniotic membranes are transplanted to the subcutaneous tunnels created in the rat's back, and the amniotic membrane transformed into the injection material is inoculated transcutaneously under the rat's skin. At the end of two months, the amount of volume loss and histopathological changes in the grafts were examined under light microscope. Results: The multi-layer amniotic membrane grafts maintain its volume around 92%. It has been shown that the injectable amniotic membrane maintains its presence in the tissue, can augment it, and can be used as a soft tissue filler. The availability of using amniotic membrane for injection material is shown. No foreign body reaction to the amnion grafts, fibrosis, and necrosis were observed in our study. Conclusion: According to our study results, multi-layer amnion graft and amnion injection seem to be used as camouflage grafts and soft tissue augmentation materials. Although further clinical trials are mandatory before considering the use of amniotic membrane as a tissue filler material in humans, we are hopeful about its long-term safety and efficacy. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.