Burn Perforation as a Method of Middle Ear Ventilation

Laser‐Assisted Tympanostomy

“…Saito et al created myringotomies in 50 patients using a small electrocautery device that produced openings equalling one quarter of a quadrant of the tympanic membrane. This opening remained open for more than 6 months in eight of eight patients 17 …”

Thermal myringotomy for eustachian tube dysfunction in hyperbaric oxygen therapy

“…In the studies with similar-sized perforations, 7 , 9 no persistent perforations occurred. In the study by Saito et al, 8 in which permanent perforations were a desired outcome, the only perforations patent at 6 months were those initially larger than 25% of the tympanic membrane. One explanation for our higher rate of persistent perforation is that patients undergoing HBO constitute a unique population.…”

Ventilation Time of the Middle Ear in Otitis Media With Effusion (OME) After CO2 Laser Myringotomy

“…The attempt was made to create tympanic membrane perforations that close by healing after an appropriate length of time and help to avoid the known adverse effects of ventilation tubes like atrophic scars, permanent perforations, or tympanosclerosis. 4,18–20 …”

“…In 1978, Saito et al described thermoparacentesis with an electrocautery needle. 20 The contact time of the hot instrument with the tympanic membrane amounts to a few seconds, which is much longer than with laser myringotomy. Basically, the longer the exposure time, the greater the patient's pain sensation.…”

“…The monopolar and bipolar thermoparacentesis applied by Tolsdorff likewise involves a longer exposure of the tympanic membrane than with the laser and is thus more difficult to perform under local anesthesia. 14,19,20 Moreover, the applicator for bipolar thermoparacentesis is not easy to handle. Its shaft has a diameter of 1.5 mm and can block the view of the tympanic membrane in a narrow external ear canal.…”