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Radiofrequency myringotomy with the topical use of mitomycin C: an experimental study
Vassilios A Lachanas1, Emmanuel P Prokopakis, Stylianos G Malandrakis
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Objective:
To assess the use of radiofrequency myringotomy in combination with mitomycin C as an alternative myringotomy technique on rabbits.
Study Design:
Experimental animal research protocol.
Setting:
University of Crete, School of Medicine, Medical Experimental Education and Research Center.
Methods:
Radiofrequency myringotomies were performed under general anesthesia on both ears of 20 rabbits. Mitomycin C (0.3 mg/ml) pledgets were applied in the right ears (study group) and saline pledgets in the left ears (control group). Animals were monitored using otomicroscopy weekly until myringotomy closure. Kaplan-Meier survival techniques were used to compare myringotomy patency time between the two sides.
Intervention:
Radiofrequency myringotomy under general anesthesia on both ears of 20 rabbits.
Main Outcome Measure:
Myringotomy patency time.
Results:
The mean patency time of the study group was 5.45 weeks (95% confidence interval, 5.185-5.715 weeks). The mean patency rate for the control side was 1.60 weeks (95% confidence interval, 1.38-1.82 weeks). The Breslow (generalized Wilcoxon) test showed the study group to have significantly longer patency of radiofrequency myringotomy than the control group (p<0.0001).
Conclusion:
The patency period of radiofrequency myringotomy was not long enough to be proposed as an alternative to the insertion of ventilation tubes, although mitomycin C had a significant adjunct effect in prolonging the patency rate of radiofrequency myringotomy on rabbits.