Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate possible effects of posterior rhinoscopy mirror or endoscopic evaluation of the surgical site on postoperative outcomes following conventional adenoidectomy.

METHODS: A total of 73 patients (35 girls, 38 boys; mean age 6.8±1.4 years; range 3 to 14 years) who were diagnosed with adenoid vegetation were included. The study group consisted of patients who underwent a transnasal or transoral endoscopic examination by a rigid telescope to diagnose the presence of any residual tissue after conventional adenoidectomy, while the control group included patients who underwent nasopharyngeal examination under indirect light by a posterior rhinoscopy mirror. Residual adenoid tissues were removed using an adenoid curette and nasopharynx punch forceps. Patients were followed at first week, first month and sixth month postoperatively. Information was taken from families of the patients who failed to come to their scheduled visit by telephone.

RESULTS: Residual adenoid tissues requiring to be removed after conventional adenoidectomy were identified in 14 patients (43.7%) in the study group and in 19 patients (46.3%) in the control group. There was no significant difference between two groups (p=0.82). One patient in the study group and two patients in the control group had recurrent adenoid hypertrophy which was refractory to medical treatment and required adenoidectomy at six month. There was no statistically significant difference in the recurrence rates between the groups at six months (p=0.71).

CONCLUSION: Conventional adenoidectomy in which adenotome and curettes are used and nasopharynx is examined by finger and viewed under indirect light using a laryngeal mirror seems to be still a satisfactory treatment modality.