RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE:To compare the healing effect of traditional therapy versus the traditional therapy in combination with additional externally applied agent on the traumatic tympanic membrane perforation with a focus on the effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor(rhEGF) in promoting healing of tympanic membrane perforation.METHODS:A total of 90 patients with traumatic tympanic membrane perforation were randomly divided into two groups:one group received traditional therapy in which the anti-inflammatory drug was given plus nasal administration with water not allowed entering in the external acoustic meatus;another group was treated with traditional therapy plus rhEGF cotton applied externally.The healing of the tympanic membrane perforation and the auditory acuity improvement in two groups were monitored.RESULTS:In rhEGF group(58 cases),the cure rate reached 100%,with an average healing time of 5.3 days;Of the 32 cases in the traditional therapy group,7 were not failed,and 25(78%) healed,with an average healing time of 28.4 days.The healing time of tympanic membrane perforation in rhEGF group was significantly shorter than in traditional group,showing significant difference(P