The preventive effect of mitomycin-C on the external auditory canal fibrosis in an experimentally induced animal model

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of mitomycin-C (MMC) on external auditory canal (EAC) fibrosis in an animal model. Study design This is a randomized, controlled animal study. Subjects and methods Sixteen guinea pigs were used for this study. After the skin of cartilaginous EAC was injured with an electrocautery, the cottonoid soaked in MMC solution with concentration of 0.4 mg/mL was topically applied for 5 minutes to the injured EAC in an MMC-treated group (n = 8). In addition, saline was applied in the control group (n = 8). At 4 weeks after injury, postsurgical changes of EAC were evaluated by histologic examination. Results External auditory canal fibrosis was induced by injury with electrocautery. The MMC-treated group showed less degree of fibrosis without differences in epithelialization and inflammatory cell infiltration. Conclusion This study suggests that MMC can be helpful in preventing EAC fibrosis after injury.