Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of fiberoptic carbon dioxide (CO2) laser welding for graft closure of tympanic membrane perforations in an animal model.
Study design and setting: Tympanic membrane perforation was surgically induced in 11 eardrums of 7 given pigs. A lumbar facial graft was placed over the wound, and albumin drops served as a biologic solder. CO2 laser energy, transmitted through silver halide infrared transmitting fibers, was used for "spot-welding" along the circumference of the graft. The welded sites were evaluated by using a surgical microscope as well as by evaluating the sites histologically.
Results: Healing started 3 to 4 days after surgery and was completed within 3 weeks with the formation of a neotympanum. Some inflammation with granulation tissue was noted in 5 eardrums.
Conclusions and significance: These preliminary results indicate that CO2 laser tympanoplasty with a fiberoptic delivery system may be a promising new technique for the clinical setting.