Fibroblast growth factor improves the healing of experimental tympanic membrane perforations.

Topical application of FGF (fibroblast growth factor), a potent mitogen for mesodermal and neuroectodermal cells, was given to promote the healing of tympanic membrane perforations in rats. Calibrated tympanic membrane perforations were performed in 30 rats. At day 0, each rat received 40 microliters of placebo in the right ear and 40 microliters of a solution containing FGF in the left ear at different concentrations. The quality of healing was observed by otomiscroscopy and by light microscopic examination of histological sections. The mean time of closure was significantly shorter in ears receiving an amount of 400 ng FGF (6.1 days), as compared to non-treated ears (8.8 days). Using a higher dose of FGF, the promoting effect was counterbalanced by a high rate of myringitis. Using a dose of 200 ng of FGF, no difference was noticed between placebo group and FGF group.