Effects of ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone and ofloxacin on tympanic membrane perforation healing.
OBJECTIVE
Exposure to ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone, but not ofloxacin, prolongs tympanic membrane (TM) healing.


BACKGROUND
Exposure to hydrocortisone has been shown to delay TM wound healing. No published studies have compared the effects of ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone and ofloxacin on TM healing.


METHODS
Noninfected TM perforations were created in 30 rats. The rats were split into three groups, and ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone, ofloxacin, or isotonic sodium chloride solution drops were instilled for 8 days. Tympanic membrane healing was analyzed at specified intervals using photographic documentation verified by a blinded observer.


RESULTS
The isotonic sodium chloride solution control and ofloxacin-exposed TMs healed at similar rates. There was a statistically significant delay in TM healing in the ciprofloxacin-/dexamethasone-exposed TMs by postoperative Day 10. However, all TM perforations were healed by postoperative Day 20.


CONCLUSIONS
Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone delays healing of experimental TM perforations, but the brief exposure in this study did not cause persistent perforations.
Buyten
Jeffrey
J
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA. jabuyten@utmb.edu
Kaufman
Galen
G
Ryan
Matthew
M
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000473:pathology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D015242:Ofloxacin