title: The impact of platelet-derived growth factor on closure of chronic tympanic membrane perforations: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with tympanic membrane (TM) perforations often have infections, and repetitive topical treatment may be required. These infections can be prevented by permanent closure of the TM perforation. Different surgical treatment options have been described, but noninvasive techniques may be preferred as they carry less risk than surgery. One noninvasive approach is to induce wound healing by application of growth factors. The effect and clinical use of applying topical platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) for decrease of size and closure of chronic TM perforations is evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma for more than 3 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Topical treatment with PDGF or placebo applied weekly to the TM for 6 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Success rate, defined as a reduction of perforation size of 50% or more to determine relative changes of the perforation size; effect of initial size and location of TM perforation on success rate; and air and bone conduction thresholds to determine air-bone gap measured before treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Randomization made matching pretreatment perforation size of the 2 study groups impossible, and the initial rate perforation/TM was significantly smaller in the PDGF group. No difference between the 2 groups was found for perforation/TM less than 10%. However, success rate did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (power = 0.8), and the effect of PDGF was found to be small (-2%; standard deviation, ±49%). Initial size and position of the TM perforation were not significant factors determining success. Mean air-bone gap for the frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz was 22.5 dB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The topical application of PDGF as an office treatment for chronic otitis media is not a favorable alternative to surgery.
authors: Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. christof.roeoesli@usz.ch
authors: Christof
authors: C
authors: Röösli
authors: Toni
authors: T
authors: von Büren
authors: Nicolas B
authors: NB
authors: Gassmann
authors: Alex M
authors: AM
authors: Huber
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor