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The amniotic band disruption complex. The pathogenesis of oblique facial clefts; an experimental study in the foetal
1Department of Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford.
British Journal of Plastic Surgery
|May 1, 1989
Insights
This study shows amniotic bands can cause facial clefts in foetal rats. Surgical intervention to stimulate these bands resulted in clefts in all surviving subjects.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Teratology
- Surgical research
Background:
- Facial clefts are common congenital anomalies.
- The etiology of many facial clefts remains unclear.
- Amniotic bands are known to cause limb defects but their role in facial clefting is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of amniotic bands to induce facial and palatal clefts in foetal development.
- To experimentally model the mechanism of amniotic band disruption in craniofacial development.
Main Methods:
- An experimental study was conducted on foetal rats.
- In utero surgery was performed to stimulate the tethering and disruptive effects of amniotic bands.
- Foetuses were monitored for survival and the development of facial and palatal abnormalities.
Main Results:
- 90% (9 out of 10) of foetuses survived the in utero surgery.
- 100% of surviving foetuses (9 out of 9) developed facial and palatal clefts.
- The study demonstrated a direct correlation between amniotic band stimulation and cleft formation.
Conclusions:
- Amniotic bands can be a causative factor in the development of facial and palatal clefts.
- This experimental model provides evidence for the mechanical disruption theory of cleft aetiology.
- Further research can explore preventative or therapeutic strategies based on these findings.
Abstract:
This paper reports the findings of an experimental foetal rat study which has shown that it is possible to produce facial clefts by stimulating the tethering and disruptive effects of amniotic bands. Of the 10 experimental foetuses, 9 (90%) survived the in utero surgery and are included in the present study. Facial and palatal clefts were produced in all 9 (100%) of these foetuses.