REPAIR OF CHRONIC TYMPANIC MEMBRANE PERFORATIONS WITH LONG-TERM EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR

Chronic tympanic membrane (TM) perforation is a common problem worldwi de. Recent reports have shown epidermal growth factor (EGF) to stimula te healing in approximately 80% of chronic TM perforations in chinchil las when applied in three doses over 1 week, The objective of this con trolled study is to evaluate the efficacy of long-term EGF in the clos ure of TM perforations. Chronic chinchilla TM perforations were treate d with EGF for up to 6 weeks. One hundred percent (17 of 17) of treatm ent group perforations completely healed. However, two new findings wi th this long dosing scheme were reperforation on long-term follow-up a nd three TMs with cholesteatomas. It is Likely that reperforation was due to a progressive thinning seen with prolonged EGF application. Lon g-term EGF use is not recommended for the treatment of TM perforations because of possible wound healing impairment and possible cholesteato ma induction.