[Resorbable gelatin--Marbagelan--in otosurgery. An experimental study in guinea pigs]

The goal of this study was to evaluate histologically the tissue response to Marbagelan in the middle ears of guinea pigs after implantation. Three months after implantation there was a mass of unabsorbed Marbagelan in the bullae of all experimental animals. A pronounced formation of granulation tissue and obliteration of the middle ear cavity by new bone was observed in cases in which Marbagelan was firmly packed into the middle ear cavity. Small pieces of gelatin sponge filling the middle ear niches were covered with normal middle ear mucosa and separated from the rest of the cavity. Marbagelan is not suitable for implantation in the middle ear of guinea pigs and similar tissue reactions may occur in human middle ear surgery.