title: Experimental and clinical experience of albumin coating of tympanostomy tubes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Otorrhea and tube occlusion are typical problems with tympanostomy tubes (TT). The purpose of this study was to test glue protein, fibronectin adhesion on albumin-coated and uncoated TT surfaces and to show the effect of this method on TT sequelae in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fibronectin binding on TT surface was tested in two in vitro experiments. Thereafter 170 patients were randomized in a prospective clinical trial to test the effect of the method in vivo. The extruded TTs that could be collected from ears of some study patients were imaged with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Marked binding inhibition of fibronectin on albumin-coated TTs was found. Fewer tube sequelae were found in ears with albumin-coated TTs. SEM revealed thick crusts on uncoated tube surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Albumin coating of TTs can reduce unwanted adhesion on the tube surface in vitro and tube occlusions in vivo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TT sequelae can be reduced by surface coating with albumin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. teemu.j.kinnari@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Teemu J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kinnari
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jero
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness / Q000187:drug effects; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005353:Fibronectins; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005353:Fibronectins; D012709:Serum Albumin