Jeffrey Buyten1, Galen Kaufman, Matthew Ryan. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA. jabuyten@utmb.edu
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS: Exposure to ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone, but not ofloxacin, prolongs tympanic membrane (TM) healing. BACKGROUND: Exposure to hydrocortisone has been shown to delay TM wound healing. No published studies have compared the effects of ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone and ofloxacin on TM healing. METHODS: Noninfected TM perforations were created in 30 rats. The rats were split into three groups, and ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone, ofloxacin, or isotonic sodium chloride solution drops were instilled for 8 days. Tympanic membrane healing was analyzed at specified intervals using photographic documentation verified by a blinded observer. RESULTS: The isotonic sodium chloride solution control and ofloxacin-exposed TMs healed at similar rates. There was a statistically significant delay in TM healing in the ciprofloxacin-/dexamethasone-exposed TMs by postoperative Day 10. However, all TM perforations were healed by postoperative Day 20. CONCLUSION: Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone delays healing of experimental TM perforations, but the brief exposure in this study did not cause persistent perforations.
HYPOTHESIS: Exposure to ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone, but not ofloxacin, prolongs tympanic membrane (TM) healing. BACKGROUND: Exposure to hydrocortisone has been shown to delay TM wound healing. No published studies have compared the effects of ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone and ofloxacin on TM healing. METHODS: Noninfected TM perforations were created in 30 rats. The rats were split into three groups, and ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone, ofloxacin, or isotonic sodium chloride solution drops were instilled for 8 days. Tympanic membrane healing was analyzed at specified intervals using photographic documentation verified by a blinded observer. RESULTS: The isotonic sodium chloride solution control and ofloxacin-exposed TMs healed at similar rates. There was a statistically significant delay in TM healing in the ciprofloxacin-/dexamethasone-exposed TMs by postoperative Day 10. However, all TM perforations were healed by postoperative Day 20. CONCLUSION:Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone delays healing of experimental TM perforations, but the brief exposure in this study did not cause persistent perforations.