title: Contact diode laser myringotomy and mitomycin C in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the use of contact diode laser myringotomy (C-LAM), combined with topical mitomycin C, as an alternative method for prolonged middle ear ventilation in children with otitis media with effusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study at a tertiary care pediatric institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen children enrolled in the study. Mitomycin C was applied to the intact tympanic membrane in the right ears, whereas saline on the left side was used for controls. C-LAM was then performed in all ears. Outcome measures included healing rate and scarring, ear infection, and long-term audiometric follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in median healing rate. In each group, the median was between the third and fourth month. Normal hearing thresholds were obtained in all children at 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C-LAM proved to be an effective method for medium-term ventilation, but topical mitomycin C before C-LAM did not prolong patency rate in our patients. No significant complication was encountered at 2-year follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Vicenza Civil Hospital, Italy. rderedita@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'ereditá
mesh_terms: D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D016685:Mitomycin