ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT06260618Updated Nov 13, 2024

Effect of Chitodex Gel in Tympanoplasty Surgery

An interventional study of Gelfoam and Chitodex in Tympanic Membrane Perforation, Tympanic Membrane Inflammation and Surgery, sponsored by Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated. Recruiting at 2 sites in Australia. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-11-13.

Sponsored by Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by May 2025, 1 year 5 months ago, but the record still lists the study as recruiting.
  • Registered 2 years 2 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Nov 2021, registered Jan 2024).
  • Started Nov 2021; still recruiting 4 years 11 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
44
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The general purpose of this study is to compare Chitosan-dextran (Chitodex) gel versus current standard of care, Gelfoam, as a middle ear (ME) and external auditory canal (EAC) packing agent as part of tympanoplasty, ossiculoplasty and mastoidectomy procedures.

Read the detailed description

The general purpose of this study is to compare Chitosan-dextran (Chitodex) gel versus current standard of care, Gelfoam, as a middle ear (ME) and external auditory canal (EAC) packing agent as part of tympanoplasty procedures to close tympanic membrane perforations (TMP), or ossiculoplasty due to ossicular chain disruption and its sequelae, or mastoidectomy for Chromin Otitis Media (COM) or its sequelae eg cholesteatoma.

The investigators aim to compare the success rates of middle ear surgery between the two products. The ultimate goal is to identify the ME packing agent-of-choice to ensure TMP closure as well as minimal inflammation of the middle ear mucosa. The most critical measure of success during tympanoplasty surgery is the closure of a chronic, pre-existing TMP. As such, the primary outcome will be a measure of tympanic membrane closure. This is performed under direct vision during routine post-operative surveillance via the use of either a hand-held otoscope or an operating otologic microscope. The investigators will perform this check at 4 distinct time-points: 2 and 6 weeks post-op, 3 months post-op and 6 months post-op.

Chitosan-dextran gel is packaged within a syringe and has a cannula attached, much like the Gelfoam syringe system. Approx 3-5mL of product is applied during the surgery. Approx 2mL into the middle ear, as a support material for the graft. After graft suturing is complete, another 3mL (approx) is applied into the external ear canal as a packing agent. This is the same procedure as Gelfoam is currently used for this purpose.

The surgeon will administer the gel during the surgery as they would with the standard of care Gelfoam. The product comes in a sterile kit to be opened by Scrub Nurse.

Fidelity of the interventions is measured in several ways by the surgeon at the end of the operation. A good seal for the graft is always assessed for by the surgeon prior to completing any tympanoplasty. This is determined via any evidence of air escape from the middle ear when palpating the tympanic membrane and graft at the end of the procedure. A good seal indicates a well-positioned graft. The surgeon's operative notes will indicate this. The investigators will also obtain endoscopic images and videos at the end of procedure to assess positioning of the graft.

02

Conditions studied

  • Tympanic Membrane Perforation
  • Tympanic Membrane Inflammation
  • Surgery
  • Otitis Media

Keywords

  • tympanic membrane
  • surgery
  • single blinded
  • chitogel
  • chitosan-dextran
  • otitis media
  • gelfoam
  • medical device
  • chitodex
  • myringoplasty
  • mastoidectomy
  • ossiculoplasty
03

In context

Tympanic Membrane Perforation

53 studies on the registry are indexed under Tympanic Membrane Perforation; 14 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 44 is below the median of 57 across 39 interventional studies indexed under Tympanic Membrane Perforation.

Browse Tympanic Membrane Perforation studies →

Lead sponsor

Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated is the lead sponsor of 4 studies on the registry; 3 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Individuals who have otoscopic evidence of tympanic membrane perforation that is also confirmed by tympanometry (Defined as a Type B tympanogram, with elevated EAC volume) AND

    1. The TM perforation is associated with at least 15dB of conductive hearing loss on the affected side AND
    2. Are indicated to undergo closure of the perforation via tympanoplasty surgery
  2. OR Individuals who are indicated for ossiculoplasty due to ossicular chain disruption and its sequelae
  3. OR Individuals who are indicated for mastoidectomy for COM or its sequelae eg cholesteatoma
  4. Demonstrate healthy, dry middle ear mucosal cavities at time of surgery AND
  5. Are 18 years of age or over AND
  6. Are able to give written AND
  7. Are committed to returning for post-operative assessments at 2 and 6 weeks post-op, 3-, and 6- months post-op

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Operative ear is the better or only hearing ear
  2. The ear has evidence of cholesteatoma or other middle ear tumour during otoscopic examination
  3. dysfunction during otoscopic and tympanometric examination
  4. Known allergy to shellfish or ciprofloxacin antibiotics
  5. Pregnant or breastfeeding
  6. Hepatitis, or any blood disorders
  7. COVID-19 positive patients
  8. for MRI
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(3)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.

Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.

Contraindication

A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
44 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Gelfoam Arm

    The current standard of care in middle ear packing material has been Gelfoam, Gelfoam is an absorbable gelatin sponge manufactured from denatured porcine skin. Generally, Gelfoam resides within the middle ear for 2 to 9 weeks prior to being degraded via phagocytosis. A single Gelfoam sponge is divided into small pieces and used within the ear. One piece of Gelfoam can typically be cut into over 200 smaller pieces. The surgeon uses approximately 10 to 20 of these smaller pieces per surgery. Approx a third of the product is applied into the middle ear, as a support material for the graft. After graft suturing is complete, the remaining two thirds are applied into the external ear canal as a packing agent. The surgeon administers the foam during the surgery as they would with the standard TMP repair surgery. The product comes in a sterile package to be opened and cut up by Scrub Nurse.

    Device: Gelfoam

  • Experimental
    Chitodex Arm

    Chitosan-dextran gel is packaged within a syringe and has a cannula attached, much like the Gelfoam syringe system. Approx 3-5mL of product is applied during the surgery. Approx 2mL into the middle ear, as a support material for the graft. After graft suturing is complete, another 3mL (approx) is applied into the external ear canal as a packing agent. This is the same procedure as Gelfoam is currently used for this purpose. The surgeon will administer the gel during the surgery as they would with the standard of care Gelfoam. The product comes in a sterile kit to be opened by Scrub Nurse.

    Device: Chitodex

Interventions

  • DeviceGelfoam

    GELFOAM Sterile Compressed Sponge is a medical device intended for application to bleeding surfaces as a hemostatic. It is a water-insoluble, off-white, nonelastic, porous, pliable product prepared from purified porcine skin, Gelatin USP Granules and Water for Injection, USP. It may be cut without fraying and is able to absorb and hold within its interstices, many times its weight of blood and other fluids.

    Also known as: Gelfoam® absorbable gelatin compressed sponge, USP

  • DeviceChitodex

    The Chitogel Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Kit contains components and equipment for the preparation of a nasal gel to be applied to the sinus cavities via a supplied and specifically designed malleable cannula. The Gel preparation will take approximately 30 minutes, so preparation must start sufficiently in advance of when the Gel is expected to be used in surgery. Once the Gel has been prepared it should be applied to the sinus cavities on both sides within six hours using the malleable cannula supplied with the Kit. The Gel must be prepared on a sterile surface following these instructions. There are two main components to the Gel. 1. Dextran Aldehyde (B), which is a dry powder, and is reconstituted into a liquid form through mixing the powder with a liquid Sodium Phosphate Buffer (A). Both of these components are supplied sterile. 2. The second component Chitosan Succinamide (C), is a liquid and is also supplied sterile.

    Also known as: Chitosan-Dextran, Chitogel Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Kit

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of participants with tympanic membrane closure

    tympanic membrane closure will be assessed via otoscopy (images will be captured via the otoscopic equipment)

    Time frame: Pre-operatively, and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-operatively

  2. rate of tympanic membrane closure

    Time taken for tympanic membrane to close, assessed by otoscopy (images will be captured via the otoscopic equipment)

    Time frame: Pre-operatively, and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-operatively

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of participants with improved hearing

    An audiogram will be used for assessment of hearing. It measures hearing thresholds in decibels over a range of noise frequencies from 200Hz up to 8000Hz. It is always performed in a sound-proof room with over ear headphones

    Time frame: Pre-operatively, and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-operatively

  2. Number of participants with improved eardrum function

    Eardrum function will be tested by Tympanometry, which tests how well the eardrum moves. The audiologist will put a small probe into the ear. A small device attached to the probe will push air into the ear. The output from the probe is translated to a graph called a tympanogram.

    Time frame: Pre-operatively, and 3 months and 6 months post-operatively

  3. Ease of use of product compared to active comparator - surgeon feedback

    Ease of use of product will be assessed via surgeon's feedback The ease of which to place the packing material within the anterior mesotympanum will be assessed, as well as the ease with which adequate graft positioning was obtained at the end of surgery. This will be done on a 7-point Likert scale with 1 been very difficult and 7 being very easy to use. After the surgeon has finished the surgery, the trial staff will collect this score from the surgeon within 24 hours of the surgery.

    Time frame: Once, on day of surgery (within 6 hours post-operatively)

  4. Time taken to complete surgery

    Start and finish times for all surgeries is clocked into the hospital peri-operative software by the nursing staff in real time. This is a routine part of modern peri-operative care. These records can be retrieved to establish the total operating time of each surgery.

    Time frame: Once, for the duration of the operation (hours)

  5. Number of Participants with improved quality of life

    This will be determined by a participant subjective symptom score/questionnaire, called the Modified Chronic Otitis Media Outcomes Test (modCOMOT-8 test). This is a modified/shorter version of a validated test that was designed for the current study, as there is no current validated questionnaire to assess post-tympanoplasty subjective symptoms, The original test, The Chronic Otitis Media Outcomes Test (COMOT-15 test) has been published widely. The modCOMOT-8 test includes a score for (left and right); hearing, ear discharge, ear pain, ear fullness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo, overall ear health, overall impact on quality of life. The total possible score ranges from 0 to 160, where the lower the score, the better the outcome.

    Time frame: Pre-operatively, and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post-operatively

  6. Clearance of Chitodex gel from middle ear

    Clearance of Chitodex gel or gelfoam from middle ear will be assessed by Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This will determination of clearance the packing agent or of any inflammatory or infectious processes.

    Time frame: 4 weeks post-operatively

07

Study locations

2 of 2 sites recruiting
  • The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    Adelaide, South Australia 5011, Australia
    Recruiting
  • The Memorial Hospital
    North Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 13, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06260618
Lead sponsor
Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated
Collaborators
University of Adelaide
Responsible party
Peter-John Wormald (Prof Peter John Wormald MD, FAHMS, FRACS, FACS, FCS(SA), FRCS (Ed), MBChB Chairman Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Professor of Skull Base Surgery , CAHLN and University of Adelaide, Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated) — Principal investigator
First posted
Feb 15, 2024
Start date
Nov 20, 2021
Primary completion
May 13, 2025 (estimated)
Completion
May 13, 2025 (estimated)
Last update
Nov 13, 2024

Study contacts

Prof Peter-John Wormald, MD,
Contact
pjwormald@gmail.com
+61 8 82227158
Emma Barry, BSc (Hons)
Contact
emma.barry@adelaide.edu.au
+61 8 82227158
Prof Peter-John Wormald, MD
principal investigator · Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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