[Endoscopic adenoidectomy]

This study evaluated endoscopic adenoidectomy operations performed in children for hypertrophic adenoid tissue in the nasopharynx.

A total of 125 patients (67 boys, 58 girls; mean age 4.8+/-2.4 years; range 2 to 15 years) underwent endoscopic adenoidectomy under general anesthesia for one or more of the following complaints: nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring, loss of appetite, slower development than peers, and decreased hearing. Preoperatively, 48 patients were eligible for endoscopic rhinoscopy, which showed an adenoid mass causing total or almost total obstruction of the nasal passage. In the remaining patients, lateral cranial radiographs showed a mass narrowing the air passage in the nasopharynx. Postoperative controls were carried out at one and four weeks by physical examination and an inquiry into the patients' satisfaction. In addition, endoscopic rhinoscopy was performed in the fourth week in eligible patients. Final controls were carried out at the end of the second year.

At the end four weeks, none of the patients had nasal obstruction or related complaints. Postoperative endoscopic rhinoscopy performed in 39 patients showed almost complete removal of adenoid tissues. None of the patients exhibited recurrent adenoid hypertrophy at the end of two years.

Hypertrophic adenoid tissue in the nasopharynx, especially those encroaching on the nasal cavity, can be removed completely under direct endoscopic visualization. Endoscopic adenoidectomy is a more satisfactory method than conventional adenoidectomy, because it allows control of how much adenoid tissue is removed.