Abstract
Objectives:
In order to assess and treat chronic tympanic membrane perforations it is necessary to have a reliable and reproducible animal model. After a literature review, different surgical techniques and rates of patency of tympanic membrane perforation were encountered. We report an inexpensive, readily available, and easy to create animal model.
Methods:
We performed an anatomic study of the guinea pig ear using endoscopic, computed tomography, and tympanometric measures. Bilateral microinstrumental endoscopic perforations were performed in 17 guinea pigs (34 ears). Three subjects served as controls using perforation without flaps in the anterior quadrants of the tympanic membrane. In 14 subjects, local microflaps combined with infolding technique and local application of glutaraldehyde in anterior quadrants were performed. Endoscopic follow up at 7, 14, 30 and 60 days was performed, and after that histological analysis was conducted.
Results:
All control subjects healed within 2 weeks. Of the 14 guinea pigs, patent perforations were achieved in almost all subjects. Our results are comparable with the studies reported by Amoils and Kaftan.
Conclusions:
Our procedure is a feasible method and may be useful in further investigations to assess and treat tympanic membrane perforations.
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