Influence of glycemic control on tympanic membrane healing in diabetic rats.

Objectives/hypothesis: It is generally assumed that glycemic control in diabetic patients is important in optimizing wound healing. The goal of this study was to examine tympanic membrane (TM) wound healing in spontaneously diabetic rats depending on the diabetic metabolic state compared to nondiabetic control animals.

Study Design: Prospective controlled study in experimental animals.

Methods: Right-sided myringotomy was performed in 20 normoglycemic rats, 17 well-compensated, and 23 poorly compensated diabetic rats. TMs were observed for a total of 3 weeks. Effect of diabetic metabolic state on the healing of the TMs was evaluated by closure rates and histology.

Results: Diabetic rats showed a significant delay in TM wound healing compared to the control group, but there were no significant differences between both diabetes groups.

Conclusions: Glycemic control does not influence TM wound repair in an animal model of type 1 diabetes.