Effectiveness of MeroGel Hyaluronic Acid on Tympanic Membrane Perforations

Conclusions. Our results support the proposition that hyaluronic acid ( HA) provides a moist wound- healing environment to aid in the healing process of tympanic membrane perforation. A single MeroGel administration can be effective as well as daily topical HA application in the treatment of tympanic membrane perforations. A single application of esterified HA may be more suitable for patients and also for otolaryngologists. Objective. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a single MeroGel application on traumatic tympanic membrane perforations in rats. Materials and methods. The posterior quadrant of the tympanic membranes in both ears of 24 male pathogen- free Sprague- Dawley rats was perforated with a 20- gauge needle. Subjects were divided into two groups: MeroGel and daily topical HA- treated groups. All subjects were sacrificed and histopathological examinations of the tympanic bullas were carried out. Results. Perforations of controls, and MeroGel- and daily HA- treated groups closed in 17/ 24 ( 70.8%), 11/ 12 ( 91.7%), and 12/ 12 ( 100%) ears, respectively. There was a significant difference between control and MeroGel- treated groups, and also between control and daily topical HA- treated groups for the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF), fibroblast growth factor ( FGF), lymphocytes and collagen fibrils ( p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between MeroGel- and daily topical HA- treated groups ( p < 0.05).