[The effect of topical ascorbic acid application on the healing of rat tympanic membrane perforations].
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effect of topical administration of ascorbic acid on the healing process of tympanic membrane perforations in rats.


METHODS
Thermal myringotomy was induced in both ears of 22 albino rats. The right and left ears were assigned to topical applications of ascorbic acid and saline solution, respectively. The same procedure was performed after 48 hours. Perforations were examined daily by otomicroscopy and healing periods were determined. For histopathologic examination, a single rat in which closure of the tympanic membranes was not completed was sacrificed on days 5, 7, 10, and 12. Data were analyzed with the use of the Student's t-test.


RESULTS
The mean durations of healing in the right and left ears were 7.6 and 8.3 days, respectively. No significant differences were found between the applications of ascorbic acid and saline solution with regard to the duration of closure and histopathologic healing criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that topical application of ascorbic acid have no beneficial effect on the healing of rat tympanic membrane perforations.
Yiğit
Ozgür
O
Department of Otolaryngology (2. KBB Kliniği), Sişli Etfal Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Cinar
Uğur
U
Coşkun
Berna Uslu
BU
Başak
Tülay
T
Alkan
Seyhan
S
Unsal
Ozlem
O
Akgül
Gökhan
G
Dadaş
Burhan
B
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing
D000975:Antioxidants; D001205:Ascorbic Acid