Comparison of middle ear function and hearing thresholds in children with adenoid hypertrophy after microdebrider and conventional adenoidectomy: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Microdebrider has superior efficacy in clearing the adenoids, compared to curettage. We compared the improvement in middle ear function and hearing thresholds after adenoidectomy, by both methods.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

126 patients (median age-9 years) were randomized into groups A and B, where adenoidectomy was done by microdebrider and curettage, respectively. Middle ear function parameters and hearing thresholds were measured serially.

RESULTS

The mean improvement in middle ear pressure, compliance and hearing thresholds were 92.5 ± 67.6 and 84.2 ± 71.4 daPa; (p = 0.40), 0.19 ± 0.34 and 0.27 ± 0.27 mL; (p = 0.07) and 3.20 ± 4.95 and 2.54 ± 3.98 dB; (p = 0.27), in groups A and B, respectively. Reversal of type B tympanograms was noted in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Middle ear function and hearing thresholds improved in both groups after adenoidectomy. More improvement was noted in the microdebrider group, which, however, was not significant.