PURPOSE:To develop an experimental model of acute inflammation, like aphthous ulcers, in oral cavity of rabbits, and also, to evaluate the results of the application of a polysaccharide spongy film of molasses from sugar cane as assist treatment in the healing process. METHODS:Twenty adult rabbits weighting between 2.5 kg and 3.9 kg were divided into two groups: experimental and control infected ulcers were induced on the jugal mucosa by surgical excision. They were treated at the experimental group by curettage and dressing with spongy film of cellulosic polysaccharide film, whereas saline solution was used in the control group. Temporal evolution of the healing area, histopathology and bacteriological analysis were used to evaluate the healing process on the 3 rd (D3), 7 th (D7) and 11 th days (D11). RESULTS:The healing time and bacteriological study showed no statistical differences on the group means. Analyzing the histopathology of the experimental group we verified epithelial hyperplasia from D3 to D11, instead in the control group there was a greater clutter of the epithelial cells from the D3 to D11. CONCLUSION:The experimental model used caused aphthous ulcers and the polysaccharide sponge film can be used as an aid in the symptomatic treatment and healing of the ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa.

The nitrous oxide modifies intratympanic pressure during the anesthetic act as well as after it was discontinued.

Ni trous oxide is an inhaling gas that can increase intratympanic pressure during the anesthetic act and cause negative pressure after it is discontinued, mainly in patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction. These pressure variations may come up with clinical implications such as tympanic membrane rupture, ossicular system disarticulation, haemotympanum, barotraumas, prosthesis displacement stapaedotomy and tympanic graft lateralization after tympanoplasty, in addition to serous fluid entrance into the middle ear during the negative pressure phase. Aim: To evaluate the nitrous oxide influence on the middle ear pressure in a population without tube malfunction performing pre and postoperative tympanometry. Study design: Transversal cohort. Material and Method: A prospective study was carried out with Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital-UFRJ inpatients submitted to general anesthesia with the use of 50% nitrous oxide from April to June 2003. It was also evaluated whether the duration of surgery, associated anesthetics, presence of allergic rhinitis and nasal septal deviation could contribute to the onset of intratympanic pressure alteration. Results: The sample was made up of 50 patients and in almost half of them (48%), postoperative tympanometry alterations (type C curve) were found when comparing to preoperative tympanometric control (type A curve). Neither gender nor age interfered in the onset of postoperative tympanometry alterations, similarly to surgery duration. The associated volatile anesthetic type, nasal septal deviation and allergic rhinitis were not able to influence postoperative middle ear pressure. Conclusion: Nitrous oxide modifies intratympanic pressure during the anesthetic act and after its discontinuation.Palavras-chave: óxido nitroso, pressão intratimpânica, alterações timpanométricas.