OBJECTIVE: To develop an alternative method for prolonged middle ear ventil
ation using topical mitomycin C.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Twenty guinea pigs with normal ears had bilateral
myringotomies performed using the argon laser. After myringotomy, either m
itomycin C (0.4 mg/mL) or saline pledgets were applied topically, Monitorin
g consisted of otomicroscopy and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions.
RESULTS: Before myringotomy, all tympanic membranes were intact, and distor
tion-product otoacoustic emissions were measurable. After myringotomy, none
(0%) of the saline-treated myringotomies were patent at day 7 as compared
with 100% of the mitomycin C-treated myringotomies, At day 42, 10 (52.6%) o
f 19 mitomycin-treated myringotomies remained patent and 4 (28.6%) of 14 we
re patent at 131 days. Five (13.1%) ears developed purulent otorrhea; 3 wer
e mitomycin C-treated and 2 were treated with saline solution. Distortion-p
roduct otoacoustic emissions testing did not document any evidence of ototo
xicity,
CONCLUSION: Topical mitomycin C appears to be safe and effective at prolong
ing the duration of myringotomy patency in the guinea pig.
SIGNIFICANCE: Mitomycin C may be useful as an adjunct for preventing myring
otomy closure.