The effects of radiofrequency and incisional myringotomy on the duration of patency.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether radiofrequency could prolong the patency of myringotomy.


METHODS
Eighteen guinea pigs were enrolled in this study. Myringotomies were created by radiofrequency in the right ears in the study group using the ENTec coblator plasma surgery system, while the left ears had incisional myringotomies as the control group. After myringotomies, the tympanic membranes were examined with otomicroscopy on the 5th, 7th, 10th, and 14th days. Closure times of the two groups were compared by the Mann-Whitney U-test.


RESULTS
All the myringotomies were closed up to the tenth postoperative day. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to closure times.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency is a safe and minimally destructive method to perform a myringotomy, but it does not provide long-time patency.
Eken
Mehmet
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Dr. Lütfi Kirdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. memedeken@yahoo.com
Evren
Cenk
C
Sanli
Arif
A
Aydin
Sedat
S
Paksoy
Mustafa
M
D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing