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Eustachian tube function following adenoidectomy: an evaluation by sniffing.
1Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Adenoidectomy does not improve Eustachian tube function in children with otitis media with effusion. Sniffing can create negative middle ear pressure, but this ability is unaffected by adenoidectomy.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Auditory Science
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is often linked to Eustachian tube dysfunction.
- Adenoidectomy is a common surgical intervention for OME.
- The impact of adenoidectomy on Eustachian tube function remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if adenoidectomy improves Eustachian tube function in children with OME.
- To test the hypothesis that adenoidectomy reduces the tendency to generate negative middle ear pressure via sniffing.
Main Methods:
- Active Eustachian tube function assessment in 40 children with OME.
- Randomized comparison of 20 children undergoing adenoidectomy versus 20 controls.
- All participants received a unilateral grommet insertion.
Main Results:
- 85% of children with OME could generate negative middle ear pressure by sniffing.
- No significant difference in the proportion of 'sniff positive' children between adenoidectomy and control groups.
- The magnitude of negative intratympanic pressure induced by sniffing was similar in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Children with OME frequently demonstrate the ability to create negative middle ear pressure through sniffing.
- Adenoidectomy does not appear to influence this specific parameter of Eustachian tube function in children with OME.