title: To pack or not to pack? A contemporary review of middle ear packing agents.
abstract: Middle ear packing agents are used in otologic surgery to provide support to the middle ear structures, maintain aeration of the middle ear, and promote hemostasis. However, there is currently a lack of standardization regarding the use of different types of packing agents. The choice of materials and how they are used remain controversial. In fact, some have recently advocated for no packing. In view of this, this review focuses on the types of materials available, a brief historical account of each material, characteristics of an ideal packing agent, and a discussion on the techniques of insertion to optimize surgical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. tyzdhs@163.com
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Bing Mei
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Friedland
authors.forename: Robert Henry
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Eikelboom
authors.forename: Marcus David
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Atlas
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000601:surgery*; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable; D006490:Hemostatics; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006490:Hemostatics; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid