A retrospective study of EGF and ofloxacin drops in the healing of human large traumatic eardrum perforation.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and ofloxacin otic drops on the healing of large human traumatic tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs).

STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review.

SETTING: Tertiary university hospital.

METHODS: Retrospective case review of patients with traumatic TMP larger than 25% of the TM seen between February 2007 and December 2008. Patients were stratified into EGF drops, ofloxacin drops, and observation groups. The closure rate, closure time, and hearing level were compared among the three groups at 6months.

RESULTS: In total, 120 patients met the inclusion criteria. The total closure rate was 89.2% (107/120) and the total mean closure time was 22.6±7.4days. The closure rates of perforation in the EGF, ofloxacin otic drops, and observation groups were 93.5%, 92.0%, and 82.2%, respectively. The closure rates among the three groups were not statistically different (p=0.19). The mean perforation closure times were 12.6±6.9, 12.9±5.1, and 35.7±9.2days for the EGF, ofloxacin otic drops, and observation groups, respectively. The average closure time in the observation group was significantly longer (p=0.01) than that in the EGF and ofloxacin otic drops groups. However, the closure times in the EGF and ofloxacin otic drops groups were not significantly different (p=0.84).

CONCLUSIONS: The study surprisingly found that both topical application of EGF and ofloxacin otic drops result in more rapid closure compared with spontaneous healing for human large traumatic TMPs. The benefit would be great as a shorter recovery time may reduce health care costs. Therefore, ofloxacin otic drops should be considered in clinics.