Amniotic Membrane for Tympanic Membrane Repair: An Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological effects of using amniotic membranes to heal traumatic perforations of the tympanic membrane (TM). METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Under general anesthesia, acute TM perforation was performed in the posterior quadrant of each ear. Group A received amniotic membrane (AM) treatment, while Group B received vector paper treatment. Group C was left to heal spontaneously. All the rats were killed on day 21 for a histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: In total, 3 rats were excluded from the study for various reasons. Tympanic membrane thickness, the presence of residual perforation, fibroblastic activity, and neovascularization were evaluated histologically. There was persistent perforation in one of the 18 ears in Group A, 9 of the 20 ears in Group B, and 7 of the 16 ears in Group C. Significant differences in perforation closure rates were observed between Groups A and B and Groups A and C (P=.0089 and .0121, respectively). Tympanic membrane thickness also differed significantly between Groups A and B and Groups A and C (P=.0291 and .0106, respectively). However, no significant differences were found among the groups regarding neovascularization (P=.1094) or fibroblastic activity (P=.7275). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that applying an AM significantly improves the healing of the TM in terms of closure rate, and membrane thickness. These results suggest that AM could play a therapeutic role in enhancing the healing of traumatic TM perforations.