Utilization of CO(2) laser for temporal fascia graft welding in myringoplasty: an experimental study on guinea pigs.

UNLABELLED: An experimental study was undertaken to investigate the use of a CO(2) laser welding technique in myringoplasty. Albumin solder was used to fix a temporal fascia graft via an overlay transcanal approach. The results of the operative procedure were assessed by microscopic and histopathologic examination over an interval of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks postoperatively.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Forty-eight adult guinea pigs were divided into two groups after permanent perforation of the tympanic membrane was created: laser-assisted myringoplasty group and surgical myringoplasty group. Laser beam power was 0.4 W, pulse duration 0.75 s, pulse interval 0.1 s and spot size 250 microm. Each experimental group was further subdivided into four subgroups of 6 animals each. Histological and microscopic findings of the tympanic membrane for both groups after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks were compared.

RESULTS

Microscopic examination of the tympanic membrane showed high success rate in the laser-assisted myringoplasty group compared to the control group. Histological evaluation for the tympanic membrane showed complete repair of the tympanic membrane in the laser-assisted myringoplasty group.

CONCLUSION

Laser-assisted myringoplasty using CO(2) might be a promising new method in surgical myringoplasty.