Epithelial migration in the healing process of tympanic membrane perforations.

The healing process in 10 human tympanic membrane perforations after trauma and 20 myringotomies was observed under the microscope and was photographed. The movement of the healing process was from the central portion of the perforation to the periphery and followed the same direction as the drum's epithelial migration. At the central portion of the perforation's margin, the keratin layer proceeded to the periphery and was followed by the epidermal cell layer. Only slight movement was observed at the peripheral portion of the perforation. Histopathological examination confirmed these observations. These findings demonstrate that epithelial migration on the tympanic membrane plays a great role in the healing of a perforation.