Healing of experimentally produced round window membrane rupture.
The healing mechanism of experimentally produced ruptures of the round window was histologically studied in guinea pigs. Surgically created rupture of the round window resulted in spontaneous closure within 2 weeks. Light microscopical examination indicated that the rupture closed with proliferation of connective tissue which usually appeared to protrude into the middle ear cavity, each case showing a unique shape. In one case, the wound was covered with granulation tissue at the site of closure on the middle ear surface. Although the rupture was closed by connective tissue, the elastic fibres of the middle layer remained disrupted at the early stage of healing.
Gyo
K
K
Department of Otolaryngology, Ehime University, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000502:physiology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D012405:Round Window, Ear / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D012421:Rupture; D014945:Wound Healing