Tolerability and Safety of a Poly-L-Lactide Eustachian Tube Stent Using a Chinchilla Animal Model

Materials and Methods: In a prospective, controlled animal study, a poly-l-lactide stent was implanted via a transbullar approach in one Eustachian tube (ear implanted was randomly selected) of five adult female chinchillas. The other ear served as a matched control. Otoendoscopy was performed at baseline to rule out pre-existing disease. Animals were sacrificed at varying times up to 26 weeks post implantation. Blinded histological sectioning was performed to determine degree of inflammatory response and stent resorption. All adverse events were recorded.