【Abstract】 Objective To reconstruct three different kinds of tympanic membrane in vitro by tissue engineeringtechnique, and to examine their histological structures and mechanical properties. Methods The skin and dura of pig(weight 30 kg) were processed with high satuated sal ine and enzymes to make extracellular matrix. Meanwhile, fibroblasts(1×106 /mL,0.2 mL) were seeded on the surface of these two scaffolds and collagen. The composite tissues were cultured in vitro for 1 week and examined in histological structure and mechanical properties. Results Fibroblasts cultured were spindle–shaped and could grow and attach to these scaffolds with a arrangement of sarciniform and parallel. The reconstructed tissue of ECM and collagen appeared to integrate well and had better bio-compatibil ity. The mean thickness of the collagen, the skin and the dura (all covered with fibroblasts) were 9.4, 10.0 and 10.4 μm respectively. The tension of the collagen was (1.417±0.030) N/mm2, of the acellular dermal matrix was (24.500±2.040) N/mm2(being close to the tension of normal tympanic membrane, 26.700 N/ mm2),of the acellular dura was (53.300±2.600) N/mm2. Conclusion The results suggest that the tension and the thinkness of acellular dermal matrix is similar to the normal tympanic membrane of guinea pig, it is an ideal material for tympanoplasty.
