Biodegradable patch based on chitosan-collagen with glycerol plasticizer as scaffold for tympanic membrane perforation

Perforation on tympanic membrane could decrease the hearing ability. In some cases, myringoplasty should be performed. Myringoplasty requires material as patch to cover tympanic membrane’s hole. This study is aimed to create innovation based on chitosan-collagen with glycerol plasticizers as scaffold patch for tympanic membrane perforation. The sample preparation method included mixing various concentrations of chitosan-collagen with the ratio of 1:0; 9:1; 8:2; 7:3 and 0.5 ml of glycerol for each sample variation. The characterization included FTIR test, morphological test, sound transmission class test, tensile strength test, degradation test, swelling test, and antibacterial test. The functional group test showed that in the sample variations 9:1; 8:2; 7:3 there was an absorption at the wave number 2347 cm −1 which showed deformation of the NH group. Morphological analysis showed that as the collagen concentration increased, the microstructure exhibited more pronounced fine wrinkles. The sound transmission class test showed all sample variations did not reduce the sound so the scaffold patch transmitted sound properly. Tensile strength test showed the sample with the variation of 8:2 had the greatest strength value (8.02 MPa) but still below the value of tympanic membrane tensile strength ±20 MPa. The degradation test showed the samples were able to survive during the tympanic membrane healing process for approximately one until 2 months. The optimization of plasticizer amount need to be adjusted in order to increase tensile strength. The presence of free hydrophilic groups (group COOH, NH2, and –OH) cause the sample to have hydrophilic properties so that it is easily degraded and undergoes swelling. In antibacterial assay, the inhibition zone was not formed because chitosan could not diffuse through the agar.