Rapid hemostasis: a novel and effective outpatient procedure using microwave ablation to control epistaxis of isolated mucosal bulge lesions / Hemostasia rápida: um procedimento ambulatorial novo e eficaz utilizando ablação por micro-ondas para controlar a epistaxe de lesões isoladas protuberantes da mucosa

Abstract Introduction Recurrent epistaxis is commonly encountered in the rhinology outpatient clinic. Under endoscopic guidance, both bipolar cautery and monopolar forceps (combined with suction) have been employed to control the bleeding. However, the use of monopolar forceps requires the placement of grounding pads. Most procedures are currently performed in operating rooms. Objective We investigated outcomes after the use of Microwave Ablation (MWA) to control epistaxis in adults with isolated mucosal bulge lesions. All procedures were performed with patients under local anesthesia in our outpatient clinic. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study. We included 83 adults with epistaxis of isolated mucosal bulge lesions. Microwave ablation was performed in the outpatient clinic to control bleeding, after induction of local anesthesia. The primary outcome was successful hemostasis. The secondary outcomes were the rebleeding rates at weeks 1 and 4 and month 6, and complications (crust or synechiae formation, septal perforation, and/or orbit or brain complications). Results All bleeding points were successfully ablated; hemostasis was achieved within 1-2 min. The mean pain score was 1.83 intra-operatively and 0.95 1 h postoperatively. No patient re-bled, and no severe MWA-related complication (septal perforation, synechiae formation, or orbit or brain complication) was recorded to 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions Endoscopic microwave ablation with patients under local anesthesia is a novel, safe, effective, rapid, well-tolerated, outpatient treatment for adults with epistaxis of isolated mucosal bulge lesions, especially those for whom general anesthesia might be risky, those with electrical implants, and those exhibiting contraindications for arterial embolization.

Resumo Introdução Epistaxe recorrente é comumente encontrada no ambulatório de rinologia. Sob orientação endoscópica, foram empregados tanto o cautério bipolar quanto a pinça monopolar (combinados à sucção) para controlar a condição. No entanto, o uso de pinças monopolares requer a colocação de placas de aterramento. Atualmente, a maioria dos procedimentos é feita em salas de cirurgia. Objetivo Investigamos os resultados após o uso da ablação por micro-ondas (MWA, do inglês Microwave Ablation) no controle da epistaxe em adultos com lesões isoladas protuberantes da mucosa. Todos os procedimentos foram feitos em nosso ambulatório com os pacientes sob anestesia local. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo. Foram incluídos 83 adultos com epistaxe de lesões isoladas protuberantes da mucosa. A ablação por micro-ondas foi feita no ambulatório para controlar o sangramento, após a administração de anestesia local. O desfecho primário foi uma hemostasia bem-sucedida. Os desfechos secundários foram as taxas de ressangramento, nas semanas 1 e 4 e no mês 6, e complicações (formação de crostas ou sinéquias, perfuração septal e/ou complicações orbitais ou cerebrais). Resultados Todos os pontos de sangramento foram contidos com sucesso; a hemostasia foi alcançada em 1-2 minutos. O escore médio de dor foi de 1,83 no intraoperatório e de 0,95 1 h no pós-operatório. Nenhum paciente apresentou ressangramento e nenhuma complicação grave relacionada à MWA (perfuração septal, formação de sinéquias ou complicações orbitais ou cerebrais) foi registrada em 6 meses de seguimento. Conclusões A ablação endoscópica por micro-ondas com pacientes sob anestesia local é um tratamento ambulatorial novo, seguro, eficaz, rápido e bem tolerado para adultos com epistaxe de lesões isoladas protuberantes da mucosa, especialmente aqueles para os quais a anestesia geral pode ser arriscada, indivíduos com implantes elétricos e aqueles com contraindicações para embolização arterial.

Rapid hemostasis: a novel and effective outpatient procedure using microwave ablation to control epistaxis of isolated mucosal bulge lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent epistaxis is commonly encountered in the rhinology outpatient clinic. Under endoscopic guidance, both bipolar cautery and monopolar forceps (combined with suction) have been employed to control the bleeding. However, the use of monopolar forceps requires the placement of grounding pads. Most procedures are currently performed in operating rooms. OBJECTIVE: We investigated outcomes after the use of Microwave Ablation (MWA) to control epistaxis in adults with isolated mucosal bulge lesions. All procedures were performed with patients under local anesthesia in our outpatient clinic. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. We included 83 adults with epistaxis of isolated mucosal bulge lesions. Microwave ablation was performed in the outpatient clinic to control bleeding, after induction of local anesthesia. The primary outcome was successful hemostasis. The secondary outcomes were the rebleeding rates at weeks 1 and 4 and month 6, and complications (crust or synechiae formation, septal perforation, and/or orbit or brain complications). RESULTS: All bleeding points were successfully ablated; hemostasis was achieved within 1-2min. The mean pain score was 1.83 intra-operatively and 0.95 1h postoperatively. No patient re-bled, and no severe MWA-related complication (septal perforation, synechiae formation, or orbit or brain complication) was recorded to 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic microwave ablation with patients under local anesthesia is a novel, safe, effective, rapid, well-tolerated, outpatient treatment for adults with epistaxis of isolated mucosal bulge lesions, especially those for whom general anesthesia might be risky, those with electrical implants, and those exhibiting contraindications for arterial embolization.

Leukoplakia or LPR: The Misdiagnosis of Laryngeal Tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to reduce the rates of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of laryngeal tuberculosis (LTB). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 3 histopathology-confirmed cases at a tertiary medical center from 2000 to 2018. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with LTB included in this study. Of the 17 patients, 16 patients were male and 1 was female; 11 patients had a history of smoking. Odynophagia was the chief complaint in 6 cases, and 11 patients complained of hoarseness. The appearance of the affected larynx was ranged from diffuse swelling (n = 7, 41.2%), mucosa white lesion (n = 5,29.4%), and granulomatous tumors (n = 2, 11.76%), and these features presented together (n = 2, 11.76%). Seventeen patients with LTB were misdiagnosed as acute epiglottitis in 4 (23.5%) patients, acute laryngitis in 1 (5.9%) patient, leukoplakia in 5 (29.4%) patients, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in 6 (35.3%) patients, and laryngocarcinoma in 1 (5.9%) patient. Chest computed tomography reported old pulmonary tuberculosis in 2 (11.7%) patients, active pulmonary tuberculosis in 7 (41.2%) patients, and normal lung status in 8 (47.1%) patients. Histopathological examination reported Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by revealing epithelioid cell granulomas with Langhans-type giant cells in 14 (82.4%) patients and epithelioid cell granulomas with caseous necrosis and Langhans-type giant cells in 3 (17.6%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal tuberculosis was easily misdiagnosed as acute epiglottitis or leukoplakia because of diffuse swelling of the epiglottis or white lesions over the true vocal cord, especially patients with increasing LTB were misdiagnosed as LPR with the enhancement of LPR awareness among otolaryngologist. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of LTB for chronic intractable laryngitis with failure treatment of proton pump inhibitor and recurrent acute epiglottitis with foreign body injury.

Randomized Comparative Study of Microwave Ablation and Electrocautery for Control of Recurrent Epistaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of adult patients with recurrent epistaxis treated intraoperatively with either bipolar electrocautery or microwave ablation (MWA). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred ten patients with idiopathic recurrent epistaxis who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned into MWA group and bipolar electrocautery group. Primary outcomes were the proportion of patients in each group whose bleeding had stopped within 24 hours after treatment and time to achieve successful hemostasis. Secondary outcomes were the rebleeding rate after 3 days, 1 and 12 weeks, and 6 months and complications. RESULTS: Successful immediate arrest of epistaxis was achieved in all patients. The times to achieve successful hemostasis were 2.13 ± 1.04 minutes in the MWA group and 6.60 ± 2.68 minutes in the bipolar electrocautery group (P = .000). The rates of recurrent bleeding were similar in patients treated with the different approaches (P = .231). However, secondary crusting was observed endoscopically in 59 patients in the bipolar electrocautery group, while pseudomembrane of the ablation zone was seen in 19 (36.5%) patients in the MWA group. Nevertheless, there were no severe postoperative complications, including septal perforation and orbit and brain complications, in either group at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Bipolar electrocautery and MWA had similar outcomes for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent epistaxis. However, MWA resulted in rapid hemostasis with less local nasal pain and less crust. Thus, MWA could be a favorable treatment option for patients with idiopathic recurrent epistaxis.

The styloid process and the formation of sigmoid sinus diverticulum: is there a link?

INTRODUCTION: Sigmoid sinus diverticulum has been considered the most common cause of pulsatile tinnitus; the mechanism underlying sigmoid sinus diverticulum formation is unclear. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have assessed whether the formation of sigmoid sinus diverticulum is related to compression of the internal jugular vein by the styloid process. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the relationship between the styloid process and the formation of sigmoid sinus diverticulum. METHODS: The medical records of nine patients diagnosed with venous pulsatile tinnitus caused by sigmoid sinus diverticulum were reviewed between April 2009 and May 2019. All patients underwent high-resolution computed tomography of the temporal bones, computed tomography venogram of the head and neck, magnetic resonance venography, and brain magnetic resonance imaging. The length and medial angulation of the styloid process were measured, and compression of the internal jugular vein was recorded. RESULTS: The study population consisted of nine female right-sided pulsatile tinnitus patients with a mean age of 53.8±4.6 years. The mean lengths of the styloid process were 3.9±0.6cm on the right side and 4.1±0.7cm on the left side. The mean medial angulation of the styloid process was significantly smaller on the right side than the left side (65.3°±1.2° vs. 67.8°±1.7°, p<0.05). In addition, computed tomography venogram of the head and neck demonstrated the left internal jugular vein was compressed by the styloid process in eight of the nine patients. CONCLUSION: The formation of sigmoid sinus diverticulum with venous pulsatile tinnitus may be related to compression of the contralateral internal jugular vein by the styloid process. However, accumulation of data in additional cases is required to verify this suggestion.

Endoscopic myringoplasty: comparison of double layer cartilage-perichondrium graft and single fascia grafting.

OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical results of endoscopic myringoplasty using double layer cartilage-perichondrium grafts versus single fascia grafts. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled. SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In total,134 patients who underwent endoscopic myringoplasty were included in this study. Patients in group A received a double layer tragal cartilage-perichondrium graft and those in group B received a temporal muscle fascia graft. The groups were compared with respect to the pre- and postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) and the graft success rate. RESULTS: The graft success rate was 98.5% (66/67) in the Group A and 94.0% (63/67) in the Group B at 6 months, the difference wasn't statistically significant (p = 0.362). However, the graft success rate was 97.0% (65/67) in the Group A and 85.1% (57/67) in the Group B at 12 months, the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.034). In addition, only one patient (1.49%) had small keratin pearls in the Group A, no patients developed cholesteatoma of middle ear in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic double layer perichondrium-cartilage graft technique is feasible for repairing medium or larger perforations, it has a better long-term graft success rate and less operative time compared with the single layer fascia graft technique. However, long-term hearing outcomes were the same for the single and double layer closure techniques.

Endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty with the removal of a small rim of the external auditory canal to repair marginal perforations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the graft success rate and postoperative hearing gain for marginal perforations using endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty with the removal of a small rim of the external auditory canal (EAC). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study in 41 patients with marginal perforations who underwent endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty with the removal of a small rim of EAC. Patients were followed up for 6 months. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients with unilateral marginal perforation included in this study, the graft success rate was 100% (41/41). The mean ABG improved from 11.31 ± 9.71 dB preoperatively to 7.31 ± 2.32 dB postoperatively for small-and medium-sized perforations (P = 0.13); the mean ABG improved from 21.46 ± 8.39 dB preoperatively to 9.84 ± 2.41 dB postoperatively for large perforations (P < 0.05); the mean ABG improved from 28.79 ± 6.74 dB preoperatively to 10.13 ± 3.56 dB postoperatively for subtotal and total perforations (P < 0.05). There were no cases of graft lateralization or significant blunting or atelectasis or graft adhesions. Three patients developed postoperative otorrhoea and five patients had mild myringitis. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty with the removal of a small rim of the EAC is simple and feasible, showing a high graft success rate and minimal complications for repairing marginal perforations.

Hemostasis of idiopathic recurrent epistaxis in children with microwave ablation: a prospective pilot case series.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated microwave ablation (MWA) for treatment of idiopathic recurrent anterior epistaxis (RAE) in children, in terms of technical feasibility, efficacy, and safety. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective pilot case series. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. METHODS: Children with idiopathic RAE were treated with endoscopic MWA and reevaluated at 1 and 4 weeks and at 6 months thereafter. The primary outcome was successful hemostasis on the day of the procedure. Secondary outcomes were the rebleeding rates after 1 and 4 weeks, and 6 months, and any complications. RESULTS: Of the 92 children with idiopathic RAE who met the inclusion criteria, the operation was interrupted in 7 children due to intraoperative noncooperation, and silver nitrate cautery was performed instead. All procedures were completed, and hemostasis was achieved within 10-20 s by MWA in 85 children. Two to four ablations were conducted. No recurrent epistaxis occurred and no severe MWA -related complications, such as septal perforation or synechiae formation, were observed at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic MWA is a feasible and safe technique for the treatment of idiopathic pediatric RAE in the clinical setting, especially those cases that do not respond to in-office chemical cautery.

Dose- and starting time-dependent effect of the application of EGF to the regeneration of traumatic eardrum.

Background: Some studies have shown that topical application of epidermal growth factor (EGF) accelerates healing in traumatic tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs), however, the optimal dose and starting time of application have not been established.Objectives: To determine the optimal dose and starting time of application of EGF for the regeneration of TMPs.Methods and materials: Patients with traumatic TMPs were first randomly assigned to low-dose EGF, high-dose EGF, and spontaneous healing groups. Then, the same patients were retrospectively analyzed at 6 months based on the starting time of treatment. The closure times, closure rates, and hearing gain were compared among the groups at 6 months.Results: The mean closure time was 10.20 ± 5.13 days in the low-dosage EGF group, 14.39 ± 6.20 days in the high-dosage EGF group, and 33.17 ± 16.37 days in the spontaneous healing group; the difference was significant (p < .001).Conclusions: Daily application of EGF shortened the closure time of traumatic TMPs compared with those that healed spontaneously. However, high-dose EGF instead prolonged the closure time compared to low-dose EGF.

Microwave ablation: A new technique for the prophylactic management of idiopathic recurrent epistaxis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the re-bleeding of idiopathic recurrent epistaxis with no definite bleeding site treated with either prophylactic microwave ablation (MWA) or continuous observation. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 61 patients with idiopathic recurrent epistaxis but no definite bleeding sites in the first operation were assigned to prophylactic MWA group (n = 39) and continuous observation group (n = 22). Patients in prophylactic MWA group were given prophylactic MWA at the common bleeding sites. Patients in continuous observation group were only observed in the ward. The bleeding sites, re-bleeding and complications were evaluated during 3 months follow-up period. RESULTS: Rebleeding was experienced by 7 of the patients (17.9%) who were treated with prophylactic MWA whereas, 13 of the patients (59.1%) who used continuous observation had rebleeding. The rebleeding rate for patients undergoing prophylactic MWA group was lower than that for the observation-only group (p < 0.01). All the ablations were completed for the patients with known bleeding site within 1-2 min. These patients only had the complain of slight postoperative pain, no serious complications (including nasal adhesion, crust, septal perforation, etc.) were found in the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: MWA is a simple, convenient, rapid, and definite hemorrhage control method with minimally invasive therapeutic technique. Prophylactic MWA at the common bleeding sites helps to significantly reduce the rate of rebleeding in patients in whom no definite bleeding sites have been identified.

Microwave ablation versus silver nitrate cautery for treating recurrent epistaxis in adolescents: A prospective, randomized case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of adolescent patients with recurrent anterior epistaxis (RAE) treated with either silver nitrate cauterization or microwave ablation (MWA). STUDY DESIGN: and methods: In this prospective, randomized study, one hundred 13-18-year-old adolescents with RAE were assigned to two groups: the MWA group (n = 50) or the silver nitrate cauterization group (n = 50). Both groups were followed up for 12 months. The primary and secondary outcomes were evaluated. RESULT: Ablation hemostasis was successfully achieved within 10-20 s in all patients in the MWA group. Eighteen (36.0%) patients in the silver nitrate group had recurrent epistaxis compared to three (6.0%) in the MWA group (P = 0.01) within 2-8 weeks after treatment. Two (2/48, 4.2%) patients in the MWA group had recurrent epistaxis compared to seventeen (17/43, 39.5%) in the silver nitrate group at 6 months; this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.01). However, 8 (8/37, 21.6%) patients in the MWA group had recurrent epistaxis compared to 15 (15/41,36.6%) in the silver nitrate group at 12 months; this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.12). No treatment-related complications, including necrosis or septal perforation were seen in either group during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: MWA may be a useful treatment for adolescents with RAE, as it had a lower incidence of recurrent epistaxis within 6 months of treatment compared to silver nitrate cauterization.

Microwave ablation for the treatment of arterial epistaxis: "how I do it".

BACKGROUND: Arterial epistaxis is commonly seen in the rhinology clinic and can have a significant impact on quality of life. Previous studies have explored various therapies to address epistaxis. METHODS: Patients were treated in the outpatient clinic or operating room by microwave ablation (MWA) with a 2450-MHz cooled-shaft antenna to treat an epistaxis bleeding point. RESULTS: Of the 481 patients with arterial epistaxis, bleeding was controlled within 1 to 2 minutes and only 2 patients with recurrent bleeding required re-ablation. The shape of the thermal lesion was elliptical and it was approximately 2 mm in length, 1 mm in width, and 0.5 to 1 mm in penetration depth. Of the 481 patients, 167 (34.7%) complained of minor nasal pain on the same day of ablation. No patients complained of nasal pain or obstruction during the follow-up period. In addition, 139 (28.9%) patients showed a minor increase in rhinorrhea during the first postoperative week. Of the 481 patients, 469 (97.5%) were followed-up at 6 months with no severe MWA-related complications, such as septal perforation, synechiae formation, or orbit and brain complications. CONCLUSION: MWA is a technically feasible alternative method for patients with arterial epistaxis.

Comparison of the medical costs and effects of large traumatic eardrum perforations treatment.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the medical costs and effects of ofloxacin drops (OFLX), gelatin sponge patches, spontaneous healing, and endoscopic myringoplasty on healing in large tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs). METHODS: In total, 100 patients with large traumatic TMPs involving >50% of the eardrum were randomly assigned to OFLX, gelatin sponge, spontaneous healing, or endoscopic myringoplasty treatment groups. Medical costs, closure times, and closure rates were compared among groups at 6 months. RESULTS: The closure rates in the OFLX, gelatin sponge, spontaneous healing, and endoscopic myringoplasty groups were 95.7%, 82.6%, 58.3%, and 91.7%, respectively (P = 0.05). The mean closure time was 13.73 ±â€¯6.14 days in the OFLX group, 15.89 ±â€¯4.95 days in the gelatin sponge group, 48.36 ±â€¯10.37 days in the spontaneous healing group, and 12 days in the endoscopic myringoplasty group (P < 0.001). The mean medical costs in US dollars were $15.53 ±â€¯3.15, $103.64 ±â€¯111.58, $11.17 ±â€¯1.33, and $715.90 in the OFLX, gelatin sponge, spontaneous healing, and endoscopic myringoplasty groups, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the gelatin sponge and myringoplasty treatments significantly shortened the closure time compared with spontaneous healing, the gelatin sponge patch did not significantly improve the closure rate, and the medical cost of myringoplasty was significantly higher than that of the other treatments. In contrast, OFLX significantly shortened closure time and had a higher closure rate than spontaneous healing, and the medical costs were lower than those of the gelatin sponge and myringoplasty procedures.

Comparative study of epidermal growth factor and observation only on human subacute tympanic membrane perforation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and observation only on human subacute tympanic membrane perforation (TMP). METHODS: A total of 44 patients with traumatic TMPs >2 months after trauma were divided into an observation group (n = 18) and EGF group (n = 26). Patients in the EGF group underwent direct application of EGF without stripping of the perforation edge. All patients were followed up for at least 6 months. The TMP closure rate, closure time, and hearing gain were evaluated. RESULTS: At 6 months, 25 of 26 (96.2%) perforations achieved complete closure with a mean closure time of 9.1 ±â€¯3.9 days (range, 3-14 days) in the EGF group. However, only 11 of 18 (61.1%) perforations achieved complete closure in the observation group, with a mean closure time of 20.6 ±â€¯10.7 days (range = 9-71 days). The patients in the EGF-treated group had significantly improved closure rates (P = 0.026) and a reduced closure time (P < 0.01) compared to those in the observation group. The difference in mean hearing improvement between the two groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of EGF improved the closure rate and shortened the closure time of human subacute TMPs compared with spontaneous healing, the stripping of the perforation edge was unnecessary. This treatment is simple and convenient and should be recommended pre-myringoplasty.

Efficacy of EGF and Gelatin Sponge for Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforations: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and gelatin sponge patch treatments for traumatic tympanic membrane perforations. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled. SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In total, 141 perforations encompassing >50% of the eardrum were randomly divided into 3 groups: EGF (n = 47), gelatin sponge patch (n = 47), and observation (n = 47). The edges of the perforations were not approximated. The closure rate, mean closure time, and infection rate were evaluated at 6 months and the related factors analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 135 perforations were analyzed. At 6 months, the closure rates were 97.8%, 86.7%, and 82.2% in the EGF, gelatin sponge patch, and spontaneous healing groups, respectively (P = .054). The mean ± SD closure time was 11.12 ± 4.60, 13.67 ± 5.37, and 25.65 ± 13.32 days in the EGF, gelatin sponge patch, and spontaneous healing groups, respectively (P < .001). In addition, the presence of infection was not significantly associated with rate of closure in any group. CONCLUSIONS: As compared with spontaneous healing, daily application of EGF and gelatin sponge patching reduced the closure time of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations. EGF treatment had a higher closure rate and shorter closure time but resulted in otorrhea. By contrast, gelatin sponge patches did not improve the closure rate or cause otorrhea but required repeated patch removal and reapplication. Thus, the appropriate treatment should be selected according to patient need.

Pretreatment factors affecting traumatic tympanic membrane regeneration therapy using epidermal growth factor.

OBJECTIVE: The use of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to achieve closure of human traumatic tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs) was recently reported. However, pretreatment factors affecting healing outcomes have seldom been discussed. This study was performed to evaluate pretreatment factors contributing to the success or failure of TMP healing using EGF. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 95 TMPs who were observed for at least 6 months after EGF treatment. Eleven factors considered likely to affect healing outcome were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. INTERVENTIONS: Each traumatic TMP was treated by daily topical application of EGF. The main outcome measures were complete closure versus failure to close and mean closure time. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients were included in the analyses. The total closure rate was 92.6% at 6 months, and the mean closure time was 10.5 ±â€¯4.8 days. The closure rate was not significantly different according to the duration of perforation ≤3 days and >3 days (P = 0.816). However, the mean closure time was significantly different according to the duration of perforation (P < 0.001). The perforation size did not affect the closure rate (P = 0.442). The mean closure time in the low-dose EGF group was significantly shorter than that in the high-dose EGF group (P = 0.001). Logistic regression analyses showed that perforations with preexisting myringosclerosis were more likely to fail to close compared to those without preexisting myringosclerosis (P = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the duration of perforation (P = 0.011), size of perforation (P < 0.001), and involvement of the malleus in perforation (P = 0.005) were factors independently correlated with closure time. CONCLUSIONS: Daily application of EGF can be used to treat all traumatic TMPs. The size of the perforation and inverted edges did not affect the closure rate, and the most beneficial dosage was sufficient to keep the eardrum moist. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed a significant correlation between preexisting myringosclerosis and failure to heal. Nevertheless, the size of perforation, starting time of application, and malleus injury were independent prognostic factors for prolonged healing time.