Utilization of CO(2) laser for temporal fascia graft welding in myringoplasty: an experimental study on guinea pigs.
An experimental study was undertaken to investigate the use of a CO(2) laser welding technique in myringoplasty. Albumin solder was used to fix a temporal fascia graft via an overlay transcanal approach. The results of the operative procedure were assessed by microscopic and histopathologic examination over an interval of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks postoperatively.


METHODS
Forty-eight adult guinea pigs were divided into two groups after permanent perforation of the tympanic membrane was created: laser-assisted myringoplasty group and surgical myringoplasty group. Laser beam power was 0.4 W, pulse duration 0.75 s, pulse interval 0.1 s and spot size 250 microm. Each experimental group was further subdivided into four subgroups of 6 animals each. Histological and microscopic findings of the tympanic membrane for both groups after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks were compared.


RESULTS
Microscopic examination of the tympanic membrane showed high success rate in the laser-assisted myringoplasty group compared to the control group. Histological evaluation for the tympanic membrane showed complete repair of the tympanic membrane in the laser-assisted myringoplasty group.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser-assisted myringoplasty using CO(2) might be a promising new method in surgical myringoplasty.
Youssef
Tarek Fouad
TF
Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Al Ismailia, Egypt.
Ahmed
Mohamed Rifaat
MR
Kassab
Ahmed Nazmi
AN
D000818:Animals; D005205:Fascia / Q000637:transplantation*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D008846:Micromanipulation; D023421:Models, Animal; D009225:Myringoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000601:surgery*