title: The effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on postoperative mastoid cavity problems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on intractable cavity problems and discuss the mechanisms of its effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We treated three ears with postoperative open cavities. All three cases had suffered from chronic discharge of the ear for 7, 10, and 30 years, respectively; 100 microg/ml of trafermin (genetic recombination) solution, as basic fibroblast growth factor, was dropped into the open cavity once daily. If bacterial and/or fungal infection was observed, antibiotics and/or antifungal agents were administered locally twice daily.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cavities epithelialized and were cured within 2 months using this treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that basic fibroblast growth factor stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, leading to accelerated wound healing. The basic fibroblast growth factor agent appears to be highly effective in treating intractable cavity problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan. kakigia@med.kochi-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Akinobu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kakigi
authors.forename: Shoichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.forename: Taizo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2