Role of topical heparine in healing of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations

Abstract

Background: Traumatic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations may arise from instruments such as cotton swabs, bobby pins, and sticks, skull fractures, acid burns and welding or metal working slag burns. Pressure induced perforations can occur after loud noise and explosions, open palm trauma (slapping), or changes in ambient pressure that occurs during flying and underwater diving. In case of traumatic perforation, some observation time is recommended before surgical intervention. In the recent years, various substances like hyaluronic acid, growth factors, pentoxyfyline and heparin were used for treating TM perforations. Objective: To assess effectiveness of topical heparin in healing of traumatic TM perforations. Materials and Methods: We studied 73 patients of age group 20-35 having traumatic TM perforations due to various injuries and present to our clinic within one week after injury. These patients where put in two groups, control group which contained 36 patients, and study group which contained 37 patients. Control group patients where treated with systemic antibiotics and nasal decongestants where as study group patients where treated in addition to systemic antibiotics and nasal decongestants by topical heparin. Follow-up was done for period of 21 days and improvement in time of healing was compared. Results: In our study, there was statistically significant improvement ( P Conclusion: The present study suggest that topical heparin has significant role in healing of traumatic TM perforations, especially when used within 3 days of injury.