title: A pilot study investigating basic fibroblast growth factor for the repair of chronic tympanic membrane perforations in pediatric patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A pilot study to investigate the utility of basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) in tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) closure in a small cohort of pediatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study. Suitability for inclusion in the study was confirmed by the application of defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and informed parental consent obtained. The technique used was a modification of the bFGF-technique by Kanemaru et al. Response to treatment was monitored with serial otoscopy and audiometric outcomes were determined. Statistical analysis of the outcomes was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TMPs were successfully closed in 7/12 children at the first attempt (58%) and in 10/12 children overall (83%). Hearing improvement was observed in 8/10 successfully treated cases (80%). There were no complications or adverse outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The topical bFGF regeneration technique offers a promising, minimally invasive alternative to conventional myringoplasty in pediatric patients with comparable success and reduced morbidity and cost, especially considering the option of performing repeat applications. Patients with an active infection or inflammation are not suitable for the bFGF-mediated technique.
authors.affiliation: Fremantle Hospital & Health Service, Department of Otolaryngology, Alma Street, Fremantle, 6160, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: aanand.acharya@health.wa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Aanand N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.affiliation: Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Department of Otolaryngology, Roberts Road, Perth, 6008, Western Australia, Australia; Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, School of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Department of Otolaryngology, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, 6009, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Harvey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.affiliation: Fremantle Hospital & Health Service, Department of Otolaryngology, Alma Street, Fremantle, 6160, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Dayse
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tavora-Vièira
authors.affiliation: Fremantle Hospital & Health Service, Department of Otolaryngology, Alma Street, Fremantle, 6160, Western Australia, Australia; Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Department of Otolaryngology, Roberts Road, Perth, 6008, Western Australia, Australia; Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, School of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Department of Otolaryngology, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, 6009, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Gunesh P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Rajan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006309:Hearing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009225:Myringoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D038781:Otoscopy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
keywords: Fibroblast growth factor; Myringoplasty; Otitis media; Pediatric; Regeneration; Tympanic membrane perforation