Effects of Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone and Ofloxacin on Tympanic Membrane Perforation Healing.

HYPOTHESIS:: Exposure to ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone, but not ofloxacin, prolongs tympanic membrane (TM) healing. BACKGROUND:: Exposure to hydrocortisone has been shown to delay TM wound healing. No published studies have compared the effects of ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone and ofloxacin on TM healing. METHODS:: Noninfected TM perforations were created in 30 rats. The rats were split into three groups, and ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone, ofloxacin, or isotonic sodium chloride solution drops were instilled for 8 days. Tympanic membrane healing was analyzed at specified intervals using photographic documentation verified by a blinded observer. RESULTS:: The isotonic sodium chloride solution control and ofloxacin-exposed TMs healed at similar rates. There was a statistically significant delay in TM healing in the ciprofloxacin-/dexamethasone-exposed TMs by postoperative Day 10. However, all TM perforations were healed by postoperative Day 20. CONCLUSION:: Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone delays healing of experimental TM perforations, but the brief exposure in this study did not cause persistent perforations.