[Comparison of the powered-assisted adenoidectomy with adenoid curette adenoidectomy]

To compare the outcomes of powered-assisted adenoidectomy with adenoid curette adenoidectomy.

Thirty-four cases with adenoidal hypertrophy were retrospectively analyzed in Shanghai Sixth Peoples Hospital between June 2003 to June 2004. All the patients were followed up six to twelve months. Of 34 cases, 18 children underwent powered-assisted adenoidectomy, and the rest underwent conventional transoral adenoidectomy using a curette. The surgical results were assessed by acoustic rhinometry.

The averaged time for endoscopic powered-assisted adenoidectomy was 5 minutes and 15 seconds and the time for conventional adenoidectomy was 8 minutes and 22 seconds. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) between them. The blood loss during powered-assisted and conventional adenoidectomy was 50 (10-125) ml and 75 (5-175) ml respectively, but there was no difference (P > 0.05). One case after powered-assisted adenoidectomy happened bleeding, and one case after conventional adenoidectomy happened dehydration. There were increases in the cross-sectional area at the adenoid, (0.75 +/- 0.58) cm2 preoperatively and (1.94 +/- 0.63) cm2 three months postoperatively, (1.99 +/- 0.44) cm2 one year after operation in powered-assisted group, and (0.80 +/- 0.53) cm2 preoperatively and (1.83 +/- 0.81) cm2 three months postoperatively, (1.89 +/- 0.37) cm2 one year after operation in conventional group. Comparing the preoperative and postoperative cross-sectional area in both groups by acoustic rhinometry, a significant difference (P < 0.01) was found.

Powered-assisted adenoidectomy has the advantages of shorter surgical time, and less blood loss. Acoustic rhinometry is a kind of objective parameter for assessing the outcome of adenoidectomy.