title: Utilization of CO(2) laser for temporal fascia graft welding in myringoplasty: an experimental study on guinea pigs.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Al Ismailia, Egypt.
authors.forename: Tarek Fouad
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: Mohamed Rifaat
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Ahmed Nazmi
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Kassab
mesh_terms: 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*