title: Utility of basic fibroblast growth factor in the repair of blast-induced total or near-total tympanic membrane perforations: A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A pilot study was performed to investigate the utility of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the repair of blast-induced total or near-total tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were treated with 0.10-0.15 mL of bFGF solution applied directly to total or near-total TMPs once daily until the perforations closed or for a maximum of 6 months. The treatment response was monitored via serial otoendoscopy, and audiometric outcomes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete TMP closure was achieved in 16 of 17 patients with a blast-induced total or near-total TMP. The mean closure time was 28.4 ± 10.9 days. The improvement in hearing from pre- to post-treatment was statistically significant. There were no complications or adverse outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The direct application of bFGF to blast-induced total or near-total TMPs is a promising, minimally invasive alternative to conventional tympanoplasty, with a comparable success rate. As reported in the literature, the closure rate was higher than achieved with spontaneous healing. There was no effect of the inverted edge on healing outcome. The use of bFGF in this setting has immediate therapeutic applications for military personnel with blast-induced TMPs who are stationed in isolated, remote environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Affiliated Yiwu Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: louzhengcai@163.com.
authors.forename: Zhengcai
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Department Clinical Class No. 11, Clinical Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Henan, China. Electronic address: yiwulouzihan@126.com.
authors.forename: Zihan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Yiwu Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: tym681226@163.com.
authors.forename: Yongmei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: xfxj2000@126.com.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D046089:Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2