title: Impact of basic fibroblast growth factor on healing of tympanic membrane perforations due to direct penetrating trauma: a prospective non-blinded/controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of direct application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on healing of tympanic membrane perforations due to direct traumatic penetration through the external auditory canal.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective non-blinded controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 104 patients with small [<25%] penetrating perforations were recruited. They were alternatively allocated to two groups: Control (spontaneous healing, n = 51) and FGF treatment (direct application of bFGF drops in the clinic and repeated daily by the patient, n = 53).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perforation closure rate and time and hearing gain were recorded and compared between the two groups. Information on earache, dizziness and facial paralysis was also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 93 (89%) patients were finally analysed. The closure rate at 3 m of the perforations in the control spontaneous healing and bFGF treatment groups were 77% and 100%, respectively; the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.01). The average closure time was 43.1 ± 2.5 days (range, 17-57 days) for control patients, which was significantly longer (P < 0.01) than that for the bFGF-treated patients (12.6 ± 1.2 days; range, 3-21 days). The mean hearing improvement at 3 m was not significantly different between the FGF treatment and control groups (1.7 ± 2.4 dB vs 11.5 ± 1.9 dB, P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in earache, dizziness and facial paralysis between two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direct application of bFGF may offer an effective topical management of penetrating traumatic tympanic membrane perforations, particularly for small-sized perforations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yiwu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yiwu, China.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D038781:Otoscopy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2