Until 1950 the treatment of a perforated eardrum consisted of covering the drum permanently with artificial material. Since then a surgical technique to establish a functional reconstruction of the eardrum was developed (myringoplasty). A survey of the biological grafting materials used in this technique is given.
Biodegradable and non-degradable synthetic materials may prove to be a valuable supplement of the existing biological grafting materials. Artificial eardrums made from several biodegradable poly(α-hydroxy acids) and poly(α-amino acids) and made from a number of microporous poly(tetrafluorethylene) membranes and from a microporous bisphenol-A poly(carbonate) membrane were implanted into the ears of rats and dogs and as a reference subcutaneously. The implants were histologically examined for periods up to one year. From the biodegradable polymers studied poly(β-benzyl-L-aspartate-co-L-leucine) 50/50 evoked the least tissue reaction and the newly formed eardrums were the best in terms of thickness and overall integrity. The formation of a reinforced eardrum may be accomplished by the support of an inert, very thin, highly porous poly(tetrafluoroethylene membrane) preferably implanted as a composite graft with a biodegradable polymer.
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