Correlation of mucociliary clearance and symptomatology before and after adenoidectomy in children

The goal of this study is to better understand the role of adenoid hypertrophy and its impact on mucociliary clearance as it relates to the symptoms of chronic sinusitis in children. More specifically, the goal is to better understand which symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis might be most likely to improve in children undergoing an adenoidectomy.

We conducted this study on 35 healthy children (>3 and <18 years of age), either male or female, who underwent adenotonsillectomy or adenoidectomy (with or without tympanostomy tube insertion). Eighteen patients completed pre- and postoperative surveys, with 10 also completing the Andersen's saccharine test (AST). The nasal mucociliary clearance will be evaluated with the AST, in which a saccharin particle (1.5mm diameter) is carefully placed on the floor of the nasal cavity approximately 1cm behind the anterior end of the inferior turbinate. The time taken by the subjects from placement of particle to the perception of the sweet taste will be taken as mucociliary clearance time (MCT). The length of the nasal cavity is measured intraoperatively as the distance between the upper medial incisor and the inferior edge of the soft palate. From these two values nasal mucociliary clearance velocity (MCV) (cm/min) can be calculated and assessed. This study took place at an academic institution.

Symptomatic improvement was seen in all categories, as measured by the mean score improvement postoperatively. The greatest improvements were seen in nasal obstruction (mean=2.67 points ± .59) on the symptom survey, and emotional distress (mean=2.56 ± .47) on the SN5 survey. Quality of life improved by a mean=2.61 ± .49. Both MCT and MCV improved postoperatively (mean 3.64 min ± .84 and mean 1.96 cm/min ±.90, respectively).

We believe this study has the potential to provide otolaryngologists across the country with a benchmark to communicate the specific symptomatic benefits from adenoidectomy.