title: Experimental CO2 laser myringotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare closure rates of CO2 laser myringotomies with those produced conventionally with a knife.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated closure rates in 3 experimental groups of chinchillas: (1) semicircular myringotomy in both ears either produced with a knife or CO2 laser; (2) CO2 laser myringotomy, round in one ear and kidney shaped in the other; (3) CO2 laser myringotomy, incisional in one ear and kidney shaped in the other.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patency of knife myringotomies was shorter (P < 0.01) than of similar laser myringotomies, means 10.0 and 21.8 days, respectively. The patency of kidney-shaped laser myringotomies was longer (P < 0.05) than of round ones. Incisional laser myringotomies remained open longer (P < 0.01) than round ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of CO2 laser as well as certain geometries delay the closure of myringotomies. By allowing perforations of different shapes and sizes, CO2 laser myringotomy may become an alternative in the treatment of otitis media.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Hospital of Central Finland, Kuopio. hannu.valtonen@kuh.fi
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Valtonen
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Poe
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shapshay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002682:Chinchilla; D053685:Laser Therapy; D023421:Models, Animal; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures; D011897:Random Allocation; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide