Effect of ototopical ciprofloxacin–dexamethasone on myringotomy in a rat model

Summary Objective To examine the potential of ototopical ciprofloxacin–dexamethasone (CDX) to delay the closure of myringotomy perforation and to evaluate its effect on inflammation. Study design Prospective, randomized, and controlled. Methods Effusion is obtained in the right middle ear of 24 rats by blocking nasopharyngeal opening of eustachian tube by fibrin glue. Left middle ears of 30 rats remained healthy. Animals were randomly classified into three groups; each containing eight right ears with effusion and 10 rats with healthy left ear. Bilateral myringotomy was applied to all rats and randomly divided into three groups. First group received CDX, second group received serum physiologic (SF) for 14 days. Third group served as control. Otomicroscopy was performed by days 7, 14 and 28 to assess wound healing. On day of 28, all animals were humanly euthanized in order to pathological examination of the tympanic bullas. Result CDX group showed lesser perforation closure ratios both in healthy and diseased ears. Inflammation was found to be lesser at CDX group in comparison to other groups. Conclusion Closure of the myringotomy perforation can be modulated by ototopical CDX treatment. This delaying of wound healing may be attributed to antiinflammatory action of dexamethasone.