title: Topical application of epidermal growth factor with no scaffold material on the healing of human traumatic tympanic membrane perforations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the effects of conservative treatment and topical application of epidermal growth factor (EGF) with no scaffold material on the healing of human traumatic tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomised clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective analysis was performed between January 2015 and March 2015 for the treatment of human traumatic TMPs. The closure rate, closure time, hearing gain and rate of purulent otorrhoea were compared between the topical application of EGF and conservative treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 97 patients were analysed. The total closure rates did not significantly differ between the observation and EGF groups (83.0% versus 92.0%, P = 0.182). The total average closure time in the observation group was significantly longer than in the EGF group (25.1 ± 10.5 versus 11.7 ± 5.2 days, P = 0.001). When the closure rate was evaluated according to perforation size, no significant difference was seen for medium or large perforations (P = 0.18 and 0.21, respectively). When closure time was evaluated according to perforation size, a significant difference was seen for medium and large perforations (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that topical application of EGF with no scaffold material may significantly shorten the closure time of human traumatic TMPs. Such a shorter recovery time may lead to reduced healthcare costs. This alternative technique to a classic myringoplasty is particularly beneficial and suitable for the closure of large human traumatic TMPs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Affiliated YiWu Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, 322000, China.
authors.forename: Z C
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Affiliated YiWu Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, 322000, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of pathology, The Affiliated YiWu Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, 322000, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Renji College, Zhejiang, 325035, China.
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor