Consequences of Using Hyaluronan-coated Tympanostomy Tubes

Abstract

The effects of hyaluronan-coated polyethylene tympanostomy tubes on the tympanic membrane structure were investigated and compared with non-coated polyethylene tubes without the coating. The tubes were inserted into the tympanic membrane (TM) and removed 3 weeks later. After 3 weeks the tubes were reinserted. This tube insertion and removal and reinsertion sequence was repeated 4 times and the tympanic membrane structure was examined histologically at 3 weeks and 12 weeks later. The study did not reveal any differences regarding the thickness and light microscopical appearance when comparing the TMs with the hyaluronan-coated tubes to those with the non-coated polyethylene tubes. However, the present way of evaluating the effects of different tube materials may be too crude. In future experiments aimed at elucidating the effects of different surface coatings of tympanostomy tubes other experimental designs must be employed, e.g. fewer tube insertion sequences and less traumatizing extractions.