Treatment of tympanic membrane perforations with hyaluronan in an open pilot study of unselected patients.

Twenty-five unselected tympanic membrane (TM) perforations of varying size and duration, from one day to 10 years, were treated by local application of the glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan, 1%. The treatment was well tolerated without any side-effects. Seventeen of the perforations were closed, though two drums were re-perforated. Four perforations not completely covered were markedly reduced in size. No effect of hyaluronan could be observed on moist perforations. The scar formed after treatment with hyaluronan 'normal' appearance. Hyaluronan treatment seems to be an alternative to myringoplasty when treating small and medium-sized dry perforations.