The effect of topical dexpanthenol application on the healing of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation in rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of dexpanthenol on the healing of acute traumatic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations. The healing was evaluated clinically by the timing of perforation closure and histopatologic examination. Totally 17 adult healthy rats were used. TM perforations, of 2 mm in diameter were made in the pars tensa of each TM. The perforations in the right ears of the rats (study group) were treated with topical dexpanthenol for 2 days. No topical agents were applied on to the left ears of the rats (control group). The animals were examined with otomicroscopy at first, third, and seventh days. TM specimens were obtained after the animals were decapitated under deep anesthesia 14 days after the procedure. Histologically, the epithelial and mucosal layers were examined. Neovascularization of LP, fibroblastic activity of LP, infammatory cell profile in LP and collagenization ratios of LP were evaluated. Tympanic membrane perforations treated with dexpanthenol closed earlier in the study group; LP collagenization positivity was signifciantly higher than the control group ( P =0.002). Altough LP fibroblastic reactions were higher than the control grup, the result was not statistically significant (p=0.177). These findings suggest that dexpanthenol is effective in accelerating tympanic membrane perforation healing, and topical dexpanthenol treatment may be more beneficial in the treatment of atrophic membrane, which may ocur as a sequel of perforation.