Use of adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy in children with otitis media with effusion

We conducted a prospective study of 48 children, aged 2 to 14 years, who had persistent bilateral otitis media with effusion, enlarged adenoids, and a bilateral conductive hearing loss. Half of these patients underwent adenoidectomy and the other half adenotonsillectomy. All patients were followed every 2 weeks for up to 6 months. At 2 months postoperatively, the overall success rate in terms of the resolution of middle ear effusion was 85.1%. Success rates were 82.6% in the adenoidectomy group and 87.5% in the adenotonsillectomy group; the difference was not statistically significant. Our findings demonstrate that both adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy are effective for the treatment of persistent otitis media with effusion, and they confirm the findings of other studies. Based on our findings and those of other investigators, we offer a four-step approach to the management of these children.