Suction diathermy for adenoidectomy: complications and risk of recurrence

OBJECTIVES: When introduced, suction coagulation was initially utilised for haemorrhage control following curettage of the adenoid pad. More recently the whole procedure has been performed using the technique. This study aims to report post-operative haemorrhage rates and risk of recurrence in adenoidectomy performed solely by suction diathermy in children. METHODS: A retrospective study of 1411 consecutive paediatric patients. Surgery was performed using suction diathermy. No patients were excluded. All patients were followed up. RESULTS: There were no cases of post-operative haemorrhage. 1.7% of patients remained symptomatic and underwent revision adenoidectomy. None required a third procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Re-growth of adenoid tissue may occur despite visualisation of the nasopharynx at the time of surgery. The incidence of re-growth is similar to that reported in patients undergoing conventional adenoidectomy by curettage. Post-operative haemorrhage was not encountered in children having adenoidectomy by suction diathermy. The authors suggest suction diathermy as the most appropriate method for adenoidectomy in children.     

Postoperative tonsillectomy pain in pediatric patients: electrocautery (hot) vs cold dissection and snare tonsillectomy--a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the method of tonsillectomy on postoperative pain in pediatric patients. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial. SETTING: A university pediatric hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland. PATIENTS: A volunteer sample of 54 children, aged 3 to 12 years, with recurrent tonsillitis or symptomatic adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Two patients withdrew consent. INTERVENTIONS: Twenty-six children underwent a nonelectrical (ie, cold) dissection tonsillectomy with cold steel instruments, 5 of whom also had adenoidectomy by curettage. Monopolar diathermy forceps were used for tonsillar bed hemostasis. Twenty-four children had electrocautery (ie, hot) dissection tonsillectomy, 7 of whom underwent adenoidectomy by curettage without a suction coagulator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative analgesic consumption, time to regain normal diet and activity levels, and complications. RESULTS: Patients who underwent hot dissection tonsillectomy showed no difference in time to first drink or analgesic use within the first 24 postoperative hours compared with children undergoing cold nonelectrical dissection tonsillectomy. The hot dissection tonsillectomy group took 7.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1-14.1) more doses of analgesics than the cold dissection group over the next 12 days (P<.05). The hot dissection tonsillectomy group took 2.5 more days than the cold dissection tonsillectomy group to regain normal diet (P<.05). Thirteen children (54%; 95% CI, 34-74) in the hot dissection tonsillectomy group and 6 (23%; 95% CI, 7-39) in the cold dissection tonsillectomy group sought outpatient care for throat pain, otalgia, poor diet, pyrexia, and/or bleeding (P<.05). Throat pain delayed in onset or of prolonged duration affected 9 children (38%; 95% CI, 19-57) in the hot dissection tonsillectomy group as opposed to 3 children (12%; 95% CI, 0-24) in the cold dissection tonsillectomy group (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Hot dissection tonsillectomy increases morbidity in pediatric patients in the recovery period following hospital discharge.     

Routine tonsillar bed oversew after diathermy tonsillectomy: does it reduce secondary tonsillar haemorrhage?

Tonsillectomy is a common otolaryngological procedure and is associated with a small risk of postoperative pharyngeal haemorrhage. This study compares secondary post tonsillectomy haemorrhage rates between two operative techniques: diathermy tonsillectomy and diathermy tonsillectomy with tonsillar bed oversew. A total of 424 patients underwent tonsillectomies with or without other procedures such as adenoidectomy and grommet insertion by two ears, nose and throat surgeons at three hospitals from May 2012 to July 2013. A diathermy tonsillectomy was performed in 266 patients, while a diathermy tonsillectomy with tonsillar bed oversew was performed in 158 patients. All patients were followed up within 2–4 weeks of surgery. Primary haemorrhage did not occur in either surgical technique groups. Secondary haemorrhage occurred in 20 patients (7.52 %) in the diathermy tonsillectomy group and in 9 patients (5.70 %) in the diathermy with tonsillar bed oversew group. This result was not significantly different (OR = 0.74, 95 % CI 0.33–1.67, p = 0.47). Sex, age, indication for surgery and whether or not a tonsillectomy was performed alone or with other procedures were not significant factors for secondary haemorrhage. In summary, routine tonsillar bed oversew after diathermy tonsillectomy does not reduce the risk of secondary tonsillar haemorrhage.     

Evaluating the effects of oral prednisolone on recovery after tonsillectomy: a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of a 7-day course of oral prednisolone on recovery from tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 50 consecutive patients, aged 5 years and older, who had no previous or known contraindications to steroid therapy. METHODS: The patients were randomized at the time of surgery to either a 7-day course of daily placebo or prednisolone (dosage: 10 mg per day in patients aged 5-11 y, 0.5 mg/kg in those aged 12 and older). Age, sex, weight, diagnosis, tonsil size (in cm2), additional adenoidectomy, performing surgeon, method of dissection, length of procedure, total blood loss, intraoperative fluid requirement, and length of hospitalization were documented for each patient. During the first postoperative day, morning pain score, paracetamol use, oral fluid intake, temperature, presence of nausea and vomiting, level of activity (low, moderate, or normal), and type of diet (liquid, soft, or normal) were recorded. RESULTS: The steroid group consisted of a greater number of diathermy dissection cases and had significantly less intraoperative blood loss (P value = .022 and .017, respectively). On postoperative days 4 to 7, the steroid group experienced less nausea and vomiting (P value = .01, .04, .04, and .04, respectively). Paracetamol use was less in the steroid group on days 2, 7, and 8 (P value = .03, .02, and .02, respectively). There was no difference between the two groups for the other data measured. CONCLUSION: A 7-day course of corticosteroids may play a limited role in patients' recovery from tonsillectomy.     

Gold laser versus curettage adenoidectomy: incidence of complications and otorrhea after concurrent pressure-equalization tube placement

OBJECTIVES: To measure the incidence of postoperative complications and otorrhea in patients undergoing Gold laser or curettage adenoidectomy with pressure-equalization (PE) tube placement. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of 100 patients, ages 8 to 48 months, undergoing Gold laser (n = 50) or curettage adenoidectomy (n = 50) and PE tube placement in a pediatric outpatient setting. METHODS: Pediatric patients with chronic otitis media with effusion and adenoid hypertrophy after failure of medical management were included in the study. Adenoid size and middle ear status were recorded at surgery. The total adenoidectomy procedure time was recorded. All patients were evaluated at 1 week, 1 month, and 4 months postoperatively. The incidence of nasal complications and otorrhea was recorded. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in age, race, sex, adenoid size, or middle ear status between groups. The laser group had a shorter procedure time (P = .001) and a lower incidence of otorrhea (P = .024). There was no difference in nasal complications between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The Gold laser adenoidectomy technique can be safely performed with PE tube placement and may offer advantages over the traditional curettage adenoidectomy technique.     

Pediatric adenoidectomy under vision using suction-diathermy ablation

OBJECTIVES: To compare adenoidectomy using suction-diathermy ablation with adenoidectomy by way of curettage in a pediatric tertiary care setting. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective series of 68 children undergoing adenoidectomy (without tonsillectomy) under vision using a suction-diathermy ablation technique over 2 years was compared with an historical control group of 58 children undergoing adenoidectomy (without tonsillectomy) by way of curettage over 2 years. METHOD: Intraoperative blood loss was recorded and compared. Efficacy in improving nasal symptomatology was compared between the two groups using an ordinal "nasal symptom score" preoperatively and postoperatively. Complications were recorded and compared. Analysis was performed using two-tailed t tests. RESULTS: The two groups were well matched for age, weight, and adenoid size (P > .4). Follow-up ranged from 4 to 48 months. Adenoidectomy using suction-diathermy resulted in significantly less blood loss (P < .001). The technique was no less efficacious in terms of reducing the nasal symptom score than conventional adenoidectomy by way of curettage (P = .07). Complication rates were no different. No recurrences were identified and no instances of nasopharyngeal stenosis were recognized. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of suction-diathermy ablation for adenoidectomy converts a difficult, often bloody procedure into a surgically precise operation. It is especially applicable to children. It may have additional advantages in aiding the prevention of the spread of the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease [CJD]). Compared with other recently introduced techniques for adenoidectomy, it is considerably less expensive.     

Suction diathermy adenoid ablation

Adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure frequently carried out in otolaryngological practice, traditionally undertaken blindly with curettage using an adenotome following palpation of the adenoid bed. While a number of alternative methods have been described for surgical removal of the adenoid pad (power-assisted/microdebrider, transnasal adenoid ablation, suction coagulation and liquefaction/aspiration) none has become the definitive procedure. Suction diathermy adenoidectomy has been known and used for some time; it has gained in popularity over recent years and is established as an alternative to conventional curettage, particularly in children. We describe several techniques which improve the view of the surgical field while performing suction diathermy adenoid ablation.     

Partial adenoidectomy by suction diathermy in children with cleft palate, to avoid velopharyngeal insufficiency

Objectives

Adenoidectomy is indicated for the relief of paediatric nasal obstruction, sleep-disordered breathing and otitis media with effusion (OME). Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a rare complication. The main risk factor is the presence of pre-existing velopharyngeal closure-impaired mechanisms, including submucosal or overt cleft palate. Despite possible benefits, adenoidectomy is frequently withheld in such children to avoid VPI. This study aims to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of partial adenoidectomy using suction diathermy in children who previously underwent overt cleft palate repair during infancy, to allow selective resection of tissue and symptom resolution without producing VPI.

Methods

Since 1994, 18 patients with previously corrected overt cleft palate have undergone partial adenoidectomy at this centre, for the treatment of nasal obstruction or sleep-disordered breathing, with or without OME. Three had existing VPI following their cleft correction surgery. Selective resection of the adenoid was performed transorally under indirect vision, using a malleable suction coagulator. This allowed exposure of the posterior choanae, leaving the remaining adenoid bulk intact.

Results

Patients were followed up at 4 weeks, and subsequently at regular intervals (total follow up 30-180 months, median 92 months), including perceptual speech assessment in all cases. All demonstrated symptomatic improvement with respect to the original indications for surgery. None developed worsening hypernasal speech or other features of VPI, and there were no cases of symptomatic adenoidal re-growth.

Conclusions

Partial adenoidectomy, employing a variety of methods, has been used successfully in children with submucosal cleft palate. This study demonstrates the safe and effective use of suction diathermy to enable partial adenoidectomy in children who have previously undergone surgical correction of overt cleft palate, allowing symptom resolution without producing VPI.     

Utility of prophylactic antibiotics in pediatric adenoidectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of prophylactic antibiotics in non-risk pediatric patients undergoing adenoidectomy. METHODS: We performed a prospective, controlled, randomized, and double-blind study on patients under 14 years of age, scheduled for adenoidectomy who accomplished the following criteria: absence of immunosuppressive and/or cardiovascular risk factors, no antimicrobial therapy for at least 15 days prior to operation, and no fever 1 week before surgery. Venous blood samples for culture were obtained at 30s and 20 min after the curettage of adenoidal tissue. Likewise, immediate and delayed complications were registered in all cases. The usefulness of prophylaxis was analyzed according to three major standpoints: bacteremia, immediate complications, and delayed complications. RESULTS: One-hundred one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Fifty-one children received prophylaxis and the remainder did not. In the non-prophylactic group incidence of bacteremia at 30s was significantly higher than in the prophylactic group (32.7% versus 4.0%) (p<0.001). Neither bacteremia at 20 min, nor immediate or delayed complications showed statistical differences between both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in pediatric adenoidectomy did not offer advantages preventing complications in non-risk patients. Only bacteremia that occurs 30s after the curettage of adenoid tissue is reduced with the employment of prophylactic antibiotics.     

Adenoids and middle ear pressure

A group of100 children were studied who underwent adenoidectomy and or tonsillectomy because of either upper respiratory tract infection or recurrent otitis media, the mean age of the group was7 years6 months. The mean pre-operative middle ear pressure (MEP) was −89.3 mm H₂O, two months postoperatively it was −32.4 mm H₂O, a highly significant improvement. The size of the adenoids had a nearly significant effect on the pre-operative MEP. The difference is highly significant in large vs small adenoids. In8 children where tonsillectomy was done alone, as adenoidectomy was done earlier had to effect on MEP. There was no change of MEP in children undergoing adenoidectomy with or without nasal allergy.     

Acetaminophen versus acetaminophen with codeine after pediatric tonsillectomy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of acetaminophen versus acetaminophen with codeine after pediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. METHODS: Fifty-one children ages 3 to 12 years scheduled for outpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to receive acetaminophen or acetaminophen with codeine in unlabeled bottles for postoperative pain control. The Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale was used to help children quantify their level of pain after surgery. The level of pain, quantity of pain medication required, presence of side effects, and the percentage of a normal diet consumed was recorded for 10 postoperative days. RESULTS: There was no difference (P > .05, all time points) in the level of postoperative pain reported by the parents and children in the two groups. The acetaminophen with codeine group tended to have increased problems with nausea, emesis, and constipation, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. Children in the acetaminophen group consumed a significantly higher percentage of a normal diet on the first 6 postoperative days (P < .05, all time points). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the level of pain control provided by acetaminophen and acetaminophen with codeine as measured by the Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale. Postoperative oral intake was significantly higher in children treated with acetaminophen alone.     

Why do palatine tonsils grow back after partial tonsillectomy in children?

Within the last decade, adenoidectomy with partial tonsillectomy has been revived in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing caused by adenotonsillar hyperplasia, generating debate about remaining tonsillar tissue regrowth. The study examined potential risk factors of the regrowth. Prospective, nonrandomised, case series feasibility study of children meeting the criteria for palatine tonsils regrowth after partial tonsillectomy performed in patients with obstructive sleep-related breathing disorder was carried out. Out of 793 operated children, 294 after adenoidectomy and 373 after adenotonsillotomy were followed up for 4 years in 12-month intervals. In 27 children after adenotonsillotomy, regrowth of tonsillar tissue was observed. In 22 individuals after adenoidectomy alone, hyperplasia of palatine tonsils was noted. The children had bacterial cultures of pharyngeal smears and blood samples tested for anti-streptolysin O, C-reactive protein and total IgE. Caregivers completed a questionnaire reporting on: their child’s breathing after surgery; frequency, severity and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections; diet; family history of adenoidal and/or tonsillar hyperplasia; and history of allergy. As controls, 272 participants after adenoidectomy alone and 346 after adenotonsillotomy were examined. The amount of sugar in the diet and the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections after surgery differed between the groups of patients and controls. Other differences were insignificant. The tonsillar tissue remaining after partial tonsillectomy in children has a remarkable tendency to grow back, related to a diet abundant in sugar and numerous upper respiratory tract infections. Tonsillar regrowth was age related and occurred most frequently in individuals older than 7 years.     

Endoscopic nasopharyngeal exploration at the end of conventional curettage adenoidectomy

Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is a common cause of airway obstruction in children and its recurrence after conventional curettage adenoidectomy is not rare. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of endoscopic nasopharyngeal exploration at the end of curettage adenoidectomy on decreasing the incidence of adenoid re-hypertrophy. Three hundred and fifty children diagnosed as having AH, underwent conventional curettage adenoidectomy by a single surgeon. The cases were randomly divided into two equal groups A and B, group B were further subjected to nasopharyngeal exploration by the nasal endoscope after removal of their adenoids with cauterization of any visible residuals, while group A were not subjected to this endoscopic maneuver. Follow-up was carried out for at least 2 years; flexible nasopharyngoscopy was used for detection of recurrent AH. Cases that were not subjected to endoscopic nasopharyngeal exploration (group A) showed a high recurrence rate (6.6%), while explored cases (group B) showed a low incidence of recurrence (1.18%). Most recurrence of group A (6%) was detected within the first year of the follow-up period which may indicate re-growth of residual adenoidal tissues that were missed during conventional curettage adenoidectomy. Endoscopic nasopharyngeal exploration at the end of conventional curettage adenoidectomy is a useful method in decreasing the incidence of recurrent AH.     

Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children: a single surgeon’s experience with coblation compared to diathermy

The aim of this study was to compare coblation and diathermy techniques with respect to secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH). A total of 1,397 children underwent tonsillectomies with or without adenoidectomy by a single surgeon in a single center from June 2005 through December 2011. A diathermy tonsillectomy was performed on 315 patients for the first 2 years, while a coblation tonsillectomy was performed on 1,082 for the next 5 years. All patients were followed-up within 28 days of surgery by the same surgeon. The characteristics of primary and secondary PTH were analyzed with a retrospective chart review. Primary PTH did not occur in both surgical technique groups. Secondary PTH occurred in 9 patients (2.9 %) in the diathermy group and in 30 patients (2.8 %) in the coblation group. The secondary PTH rates were 1.2, 2.5, 3.8, 3.1 and 4.5 % in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years after employment of the coblation tonsillectomy, respectively (P = 0.243). Sex, age, tonsil size and severity of tonsillar embedding were not significant factors for PTH. The coblation technique was associated more with late secondary PTH than diathermy technique (odds ratio 9.14, P = 0.049). Analysis of the time of onset of PTH showed that secondary PTH occurred most commonly between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. In summary, coblation technique has similar secondary PTH rate with diathermy technique although it has increased late secondary PTH rate in children. Coblation technique can be a good alternative to the diathermy technique.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征儿童手术前后注意力缺陷和多动症状

目的 探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome,OSAHS)儿童是否更易出现注意力缺陷和多动症状,并观察手术治疗前后睡眠呼吸紊乱及注意力缺陷和多动症状有无好转.方法 2004年6月至2007年5月经多道睡眠监测(polysomnography,PSG)确诊的OSAHS儿童80例为患儿组,其中有手术前后完整PSG监测资料的16例儿童进行睡眠结构和呼吸紊乱相关指标的分析.选择因声带小结就诊经PSG监测睡眠呼吸正常儿童30例为对照组.由神经科医生对所有儿童进行注意缺陷和多动症状分数(inattentionhyperactivity score,IHS)的评估,以IHS＞1.25判定为明显注意力缺陷和多动症状.患儿组均行腺样体切除或扁桃体+腺样体切除的手术治疗,术后6个月再次接受PSG监测及神经科医师的IHS评估,比较对照组与OSAHS患儿有关数据的差异.结果 ①患儿组术前和对照组的IHS的中位数分别为0.89和0.17,秩和检验差异有统计学意义(Z=-4.276,P＜0.05);手术前后患儿组的IHS的中位数分别为0.89和0.44,配对t检验差异有统计学意义(t=6.219,P＜0.05).②患儿组术前、术后和对照组分别有25例、9例和3例儿童的IHS>1.25,卡方检验示患儿组术前与对照组、术前与术后比较出现症状患儿的比率差异有统计学意义(x2值分别为5.192和9.56,P值均＜0.05).③患儿组中有完整资料的16例手术后呼吸紊乱指标及睡眠结构有明显改变,睡眠Ⅰ期减少,睡眠Ⅱ期、慢波睡眠及快动眼睡眠的比例显著增加(配对t检验t值分别为12.2、-5.4、-6.3和-8.1,P值均＜0.001)呼吸暂停低通气指数从13.9次/h下降到1.5次/h,最低血氧饱和度从0.855上升到0.940(t值分别为5.3和-3.7,P值均<0.01);术后和对照组相比,快速动眼睡眠的比例及最低血氧饱和度仍未达到对照组的水平.结论 较睡眠呼吸正常儿童而言,OSAHS患儿较易出现多动症状和注意缺陷的表现,手术治疗可明显改善OSAHS患儿的睡眠结构和多动、注意缺陷的症状.在诊断注意力缺陷多动障碍时,应注意有无睡眠呼吸紊乱的存在.     

The effect of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy on the intra-tympanic pressure

A group of 67 children were studied (mean age 7 years, 2 months) who underwent adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy because of either recurrent otitis media or upper respiratory tract infection. The mean pre-operative intratympanic pressure was -67.3 mmH2O (SD 65.1); three months post-operatively it was -21.9 mmH2O (SD 32.4), a highly significant improvement (p less than 0.001). The size of the adenoids had a nearly significant effect on the pre-operative intratympanic pressure (p less than 0.05). In children with large vs small adenoids the difference was highly significant (p less than 0.001). In a group of five children, tonsillectomy alone (adenoidectomy performed earlier) did not have any effect on the intratympanic pressure. No change in intratympanic pressure was seen in children with nasal allergy as compared with non-allergic children after adenoidectomy.     

腺样体切除加扁桃体单纯消融或扁桃体部分切除加消融对OSAHS患儿术后免疫功能的影响

目的:探讨等离子辅助下治疗儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS),腺样体切除加扁桃体单纯消融或扁桃体部分切除加消融对儿童术后免疫功能的影响.方法:对70例OSAHS患儿采用低温等离子消融术切除腺样体,同时根据扁桃体的大小采用扁桃体单纯消融(扁桃体单纯消融组)或扁桃体部分切除加消融(扁桃体部分切除加消融组),分...     

EB病毒在儿童腺样体肥大和扁桃体炎组织内的定量研究及意义

目的:探讨EB病毒在儿童慢性扁桃体炎、腺样体肥大中的流行病学特点及其在儿童腺样体肥大、慢性扁桃体炎疾病发病机制中的作用.方法:采用实时荧光定量PCR技术对52例慢性扁桃体炎、腺样体肥大患儿手术摘除的腺样体、扁桃体组织及血浆标本进行EB病毒定量检测.结果:患有慢性扁桃体炎和(或)腺样体肥大的儿童扁桃体、腺样体组织中EB病毒感染率为51.9%;其中男性患儿EB病毒感染率为50.0%,女性患儿为55.6%,两者差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).扁桃体组织EB病毒感染率为40.4%,腺样体组织为48.9%,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).学龄组(7～14岁)患儿扁桃体和腺样体组织EB病毒感染率为65.5%,明显高于学龄前组(2～6岁)患儿的感染率(34.8%).比较轻、中、重度肥大的腺样体组织中EB病毒-DNA拷贝数发现:重度肥大组EB病毒-DNA拷贝数明显高于其他两组(P＜0.05).52例患儿血浆标本检测发现:EB病毒-DNA拷贝数均在正常范围内(＜1×10~3 copies/ml).结论:腺样体肥大组织与慢性扁桃体炎组织对EB病毒有相同的易感性,男、女性患儿的扁桃体和腺样体组织对EB病毒易感性基本相同,且随着患儿年龄的增长、病程的延长,EB病毒的感染率也会相应增高.腺样体的增生、肥大与EB病毒的感染有一定相关性.     

Rates and risk factors for subsequent tonsillectomy after prior adenoidectomy: a regression analysis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of adenoidectomy without concurrent tonsillectomy in the treatment of upper airway obstruction, by determining rates and risk factors for subsequent tonsillectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study with nested case-control study. Data were evaluated using Kaplan-Meyer curves with Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, as well as contingency table and logistic regression analysis. SETTING: Tertiary care pediatric hospital with satellite clinics and surgical centers. PATIENTS: A total of 2462 patients aged 5 months to 18 years undergoing adenoidectomy without concurrent tonsillectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A 5-year database was searched for birth dates, dates of initial surgery, and dates of subsequent tonsillectomy (if performed) or latest follow-up. Cases (tonsillectomies) were then matched 1:1 by age with controls (no subsequent tonsillectomy). Medical charts were reviewed to identify potential predisposing factors, including sex, tonsil size, and adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy indication. RESULTS: Within 5.4 years, 108 patients underwent subsequent tonsillectomy. The relative risk of subsequent tonsillectomy decreases by 0.83 (95% confidence interval, 0.78-0.88) for each increasing year of age at adenoidectomy. The odds of undergoing a future tonsillectomy significantly increase with increasing tonsil size at the time of adenoidectomy. There was a trend toward doubling the risk of subsequent tonsillectomy when the adenoids were removed for upper airway obstruction (including obstructive sleep apnea) compared with other indications (P = .06). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the rates and risk factors for subsequent tonsillectomy will allow more informed counseling of parents regarding whether tonsillectomy should be performed or deferred at the time of an indicated adenoidectomy.     

Chronic otitis media with effusion and adeno-tonsillectomy--a prospective randomized controlled study

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the commonest, chronic otological conditions of early childhood. There is considerable variation in management in different centres throughout the world. Surgical treatment of the ears, adenoids, tonsils and sinuses is frequently employed and the condition constitutes one of the main indications for adenoidectomy and to a lesser extent for tonsillectomy. To date no randomized prospective, adequately controlled study has demonstrated the effect of these operations on established OME. The present work reports the results at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and one year following adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy performed randomly and prospectively with a controlled no-surgery group on a cohort of 103 children with established OME, unresponsive to medical treatment. Following adenoidectomy the rate of resolution of OME increases from 39% at 6 weeks, to 72% at one year; and following adeno-tonsillectomy the rate increases from 59% at 6 weeks to 62% at one year. In the no-surgery group the rate increases from 16% at 6 weeks to 26% at one year. Compared with the no-surgery group the effect of adenoidectomy alone at one year is highly significant (P less than or equal to 0.001) and similarly the effect of adenotonsillectomy is significant (P less than or equal to 0.01). However, there is no increased benefit from the addition of tonsillectomy compared with adenoidectomy alone. Thus adenoidectomy resolves established OME in 36-46% of cases for up to 12 months.