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[Comparison among the three different approaches in the management of adenoid hypertrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the advantage and disadvantage among Transnasal Endoscopic Adenoidectomy (TEA), Endoscopic-assisted Transnasal Adenoidectomy (ETA) and traditional Transoral Curette Adenoidectomy (TCA). METHOD: Clinical data of 130 cases who received adenoidectomy were studied and the effective rate of hearing, snoring, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea and residual of adenoid were compared among the three groups after operation. There were 82 male and 48 female with average age of 7.58 years (range 3-29 years). Of 130 cases, there were 79 cases in TCA group, 24 cases in TEA group and 27 in ETA group. RESULT: The effective rate of nasal obstruction in ETA group was significantly higher than that in TCA group ( P < 0.05) with average following-up 21.4 months (range 6-44 months). Residual adenoid was found in 20 cases in TCA group and none in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic-assisted transnasal adenoidectomy using power system is the best approach of choice in the management of adenoid hypertrophy. Transnasal endoscopic adenoidectomy has benefit when another endoscopic sinonasal procedure is planned.

Adenoidectomy↗

Sleep-disordered breathing in 3,680 Greek children.

The goal of the present investigation was to describe the prevalence of and clinical factors associated with sleep-disordered breathing in children and adolescents. Children and adolescents (3,680 in all, 1-18 years old) attending schools in central Greece were surveyed by questionnaires distributed to parents. We found a similar prevalence of habitual snoring (present every night) among three different age groups (5.3%, 4%, and 3.8% in 1-6-, 7-12-, and 13-18-year-old subjects, P = NS). Several children with an adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy were snoring every night (6.1%), whereas sleepiness at school was more common in habitual snorers than in nonhabitual snorers (4.6 vs. 2%, P = 0.03). Seventy randomly selected subjects among 307 snorers without adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy underwent polysomnography. The estimated frequency of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea among children without adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy was 4.3%. Factors associated with snoring were: male gender (odds ratio 1.5 (confidence interval, 1.2-1.9)); chronic rhinitis (2.1 (1.6-2.7)); snoring in father (1.5 (1.2-1.9)), mother (1.5 (1.1-2.0)), or siblings (1.7 (1.2-2.4)); adenoidectomy in mother (1.5 (1.0-2.2)); and passive smoking (1.4 (1.1-1.8)). In conclusion, snoring every night was equally prevalent in younger and older ages, more frequent in males, and present even in some children with a history of adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. Chronic rhinitis, family history of snoring, and exposure to cigarette smoke were associated with an increased frequency of habitual snoring.

Adenoidectomy↗

Adenoids and otitis media with effusion: nasopharyngeal flora.

In order to clarify the role of the microflora of the nasopharynx and adenoids as causative factors of otitis media with effusion (OME), bacteriologic species in middle ear effusions (MEEs), nasopharyngeal smears, and adenoid tissues of children with OME were cultured. The change in the microflora of the nasopharynx after adenoidectomy, and the degree of bacterial agreement between the microflora of the nasopharynx and adenoid tissue were investigated. Nasopharyngeal bacterial flora were investigated in 259 children with OME from November 1984 to November 1987. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (43 patients) underwent adenoidectomy, and group B (216 patients) had no adenoidectomy. Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Branhamella catarrhalis, and Staphylococcus aureus were cultured in 66.7% of nasopharyngeal smears from group B, and in 46.5% from group A. Adenoid specimens for bacteriologic investigation were obtained from 38 adenoidectomy patients at surgery. Of these, H influenzae were cultured from adenoid specimens taken from 16 of the 26 patients with OME (group C), while only three of the 12 adenoidectomy patients without OME (group D) were found to have H influenzae in their adenoid specimens. The findings of this study suggest that adenoid vegetation plays an important role in the etiology of OME.

Adenoidectomy↗

Laterally hypertrophic adenoids as a contributing factor in otitis media.

Adenoidectomy has been demonstrated in randomized controlled studies to be effective in the prevention of otitis media with effusion (OME). Despite an apparent lack of correlation between adenoid size and outcome, it has been suggested that the role of adenoid tissue in the pathophysiology of OME relates either to obstruction of the Eustachian tube (ET) with impairment of its function, or to adenoid tissue serving as a reservoir of infection. The aim of this study was to further delineate the relationship between adenoid hypertrophy and OME. This prospective survey was performed in an ambulatory care setting of a tertiary care pediatric hospital, where data was collected on 273 consecutive adenoidectomy patients. At the time of surgery, adenoid position in relation to the ET orifice was recorded as well as concurrent procedures performed (e.g. pressure equalization tubes; PET). Sixty percent of patients undergoing simultaneous PET insertion were found to have laterally hypertrophic adenoid tissue encroaching upon the ET orifice versus only 22% for those undergoing adenoidectomy alone. Thus, a strong correlation was found to exist between OME, requiring the placement of PET and lateral adenoids abutting the torus tubarius (chi2 = 39.12; P < 0.001). The clinical relevance of this finding is that it may allow the prediction of children with OME, who will benefit most from undergoing adenoidectomy. Patients with OME requiring PET insertion, who are found to have lateral adenoid hypertrophy encroaching upon the ET orifice, could be selected for adenoidectomy, thus allowing a more judicious application of this surgical procedure in the setting of OME.

Adenoidectomy↗

Chronic otitis media with effusion (glue ear) and adenotonsillectomy: prospective randomised controlled study.

A prospective study was conducted of the effects of adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy on established otitis media with effusion unresponsive to medical treatment. The operations were performed at random with a controlled no surgery group on a cohort of 103 children with the condition and the results assessed six weeks, three months, six months, nine months, and one year later. After adenoidectomy the rate of resolution of the condition increased from 39% at six weeks to 72% at one year; and after adenotonsillectomy the rate increased from 59% at six weeks to 62% at one year. In the no surgery group the rate increased from 16% at six weeks to 26% at one year. Compared with the no surgery group the effect of adenoidectomy alone at one year was highly significant (p less than 0.001), and similarly the effect of adenotonsillectomy was significant (p less than 0.01). There was, however, no increased benefit from the addition of tonsillectomy compared with adenoidectomy alone. Thus there was resolution of 36-46% of chronic effusions as a result of adenoidectomy.

Adenoidectomy↗

A randomised controlled trial of surgery for glue ear.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of five different surgical treatments for glue ear (secretory otitis media) on improvement in hearing and, assuming one or more treatments to be effective, to identify the appropriate indications for surgery. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial of children receiving (a) adenoidectomy, bilateral myringotomy, and insertion of a unilateral grommet; (b) adenoidectomy, unilateral myringotomy, and insertion of a unilateral grommet; (c) bilateral myringotomy and insertion of a unilateral grommet; and (d) unilateral myringotomy and insertion of a grommet. Children were followed up at seven weeks, six months, 12 months, and 24 months by symptom history and clinical investigations. SETTING: Otolaryngology department in an urban hospital. PATIENTS: 149 Children aged 4-9 years who were admitted for surgery for glue ear and who had no history of previous operations on tonsils, adenoids, or ears and no evidence of sensorineural deafness. Inadequate follow up information on levels of hearing and on middle ear function was obtained from 22. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean hearing loss (dB) of the three worst heard frequencies between 250 and 4000 Hz, results of impedance tympanometry, and parental views on their child's progress. RESULTS: In the 127 children for whom adequate information was available ears in which a grommet had been inserted performed better in the short term (for at least six months) than those in which no grommet had been inserted, irrespective of any accompanying procedure. Most of the benefit had disappeared by 12 months. Adenoidectomy produced a slight improvement that was not significant, though was sustained for at least two years. The ears of children who had had an adenoidectomy with myringotomy and grommet insertion, however, continued to improve so that two years after surgery about 50% had abnormal tympanometry compared with 83% of those who had had only myringotomy and grommet insertion, and 93% of the group that had had no treatment. Logistic regression analyses identified preoperative hearing level as the single best predictor of good outcome from surgery. Other variables contributed little additional predictive power. CONCLUSIONS: If the principal objective of surgery for glue ear is to restore hearing then our study shows that insertion of grommets is the treatment of choice. The addition of an adenoidectomy will increase the likelihood of restoration of normal function of the middle ear but will not improve hearing. When deciding appropriate indications for surgery, a balance has to be made between performing unnecessary operations and failing to treat patients who might benefit from surgical intervention. Preoperative audiometry scores might be the best predictor in helping to make this decision.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗

Surgery of the tonsils and adenoids in relation to secretory otitis media in children.

One hundred and fifty children aged between 2 and 9 years with bilateral SOM were allocated at random to three groups: Adeno-tonsillectomy (47 cases), adenoidectomy (47 cases) and neither procedure (53 cases). A further 42 children were allocated to either adenoidectomy or no surgery. In all only one ear was treated at random by myringotomy and insertion of a ventilation tube. The unoperated ear was examined six weeks, six months, nine months, one, two and three years post-operatively for otoscopic clearance of the effusion, impedance change and improvement in mean hearing threshold. Thus the effects on middle ear status of adenoidectomy alone and in combination with tonsillectomy were assessed. There was a significant clearance of middle ear fluid, change from no peak to peak impedance measurement and hearing gain as a result of both procedures with a late trend favouring the combined operation. Neither pre-operative tonsils size nor the number of attacks of tonsillitis affect outcome. However there is a relationship between age and radiographic post-nasal space airway size with clearance of the effusion one year after surgery. These findings permit recommendation for adenoidectomy with improved expectation for resolution of SOM if cases are selected with reference to these two variables. They also suggest in which cases the operation should not be recommended. Despite the trends in outcome favouring combined operations, the extra morbidity associated with the addition of tonsillectomy does not at present justify recommendation for removal of the tonsils in addition to adenoidectomy for cases with SOM. Tonsillectomy in these children should be assessed on grounds of tonsillar pathology per se and not on the status of the middle ear.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗

Incidence of poliomyelitis; the effect of tonsillectomy and other operations on the nose and throat.

A statistical survey was made of all the cases of poliomyelitis occurring in all of Los Angeles County during the three years of 1949, 1950 and 1951 in an attempt to determine the effect of operations on the nose and throat on the incidence of poliomyelitis. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were the only operations noted with any degree of frequency. Yet, in the total of 3,601 cases of poliomyelitis that occurred in this three-year period there were only 20 (0.55 per cent) in which the patient had had recent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The incidence of this disease in patients who had had tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy was compared with the "expected" incidence as determined from the incidence in other patients, in the same age group. There was no significant difference between actual and expected incidence even during the summer months when most cases of poliomyelitis occurred. The same was true with regard to recently tonsillectomized patients in the epidemic months of July through October. In a separate survey of 675 patients with poliomyelitis, it was noted that only 30 per cent ever had had tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Inasmuch as it is estimated that one of every three persons in the general young population nowadays has had tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, this figure is no more or less than could be expected.

Adenoidectomy↗

The role of allergy in recurrent otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the OME groups that improved when treated with adenoidectomy, VT and medication, and which of them recurred. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive children with recurrent OME (11%) were selected among 200 children who had adenoidectomies and had been inserted a ventilation tube (VT) for OME. The patients were selected for allergy evaluation because of recurrent OME not responsive to medical therapy and adenoidectomy, requiring more than one myringotomy with tubes. The control group consisted of 24 healthy children that were treated with adenoidectomy and VT, and had no recurrence. RESULTS: Eight (36.4%) patients had positive skin tests for inhalant and food allergens. Two subjects of the control group (8.3%) had positive skin tests for inhalant and food allergens. This was statistically significant (p:0.032). A pattern to multiple positive nasal and food reactions was shown in the study group rather than in the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The possibility of allergy should be considered in OME cases that did not improve with drug treatment and adenoidectomy and VT insertion but recurred, and a thorough search for allergen was made for proper diagnostic and therapeutic management.

Adenoidectomy↗

Acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis: a warning and review.

OBJECTIVES: To present and discuss the clinical presentation and treatment planning in children with acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Nine children identified over 2 years (1995-1996) with newly diagnosed NPS were evaluated. Seven of these children underwent adenoidectomy using a potassium titanyl phosphate laser technique at a neighboring facility. These children were aged 15.6 to 62.1 months at the time of original surgery, and all presented with nasal obstruction and mouth breathing beginning within 10 weeks after surgery. In addition, 5 had newly documented obstructive sleep apnea. RESULTS: Of the 9 children, 1 required a tracheotomy. After undergoing an adenoidectomy, chronic rhinosinusitis developed and aggressive medical treatment failed in 4 children. Time from symptom onset to diagnosis of NPS ranged from 2 to 34 months. The diagnosis of NPS depends on obtaining a thorough medical history and conducting a physical examination that includes nasopharyngoscopy. Most children underwent a computed tomographic scan prior to repair. The scarring encountered in these patients involved the soft palate and the posterior pharyngeal wall and/or choanae bilaterally. Five children had no identifiable eustachian tube opening into the nasopharynx, and all 5 children had chronic otitis media with effusion or persistent otorrhea. CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal stenosis following adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy is difficult to correct. Multiple surgeries may be required to relieve the obstruction. Standard operative techniques using the lateral pharyngeal flap and transpalatal or endoscopic intranasal approaches were adapted to the clinical situation. Prolonged use of nasal stents is mandatory to produce a nasopharyngeal opening. Adjunctive treatment may include pressure equalization tubes. However, the best treatment remains prevention.

Adenoidectomy↗

Presence of 22q11 deletion in postadenoidectomy velopharyngeal insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Velopharyngeal insufficiency is an uncommon complication of adenoidectomy. Persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency following adenoidectomy (VIA) may occur in association with an unrecognized syndrome, such as velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). Although the diagnosis of VCFS is primarily a clinical one, a test has been developed to identify the underlying chromosomal abnormality, ie, deletion of 22q11. OBJECTIVE: To describe characteristics and occurrence of the 22q11 deletion in a population with VIA. SETTING: Three tertiary referral centers. DESIGN: Retrospective case series of 23 patients with VIA who required intervention and had follow-up for more than 1 year. These patients' medical records were reviewed for indications for adenoidectomy, the presence of 22q11 deletion and whether a 22q11 deletion test was obtained, phenotypic evidence for VCFS, presence of a submucous cleft palate, velopharyngeal closure pattern, and type of speech intervention. RESULTS: Of the 23 patients, 9 underwent adenoidectomy for otitis media, 9 for obstructive sleep symptoms, and 5 for sinusitis therapy. Fourteen of the 23 patients were tested for a 22q11 deletion. Of these 14 patients, 9 had a 22q11 deletion with 5 having phenotypic evidence for VCFS. Six of the 23 patients had a submucous cleft palate, 2 of whom had a 22q11 deletion. CONCLUSIONS: Although VIA is uncommon, its occurrence should alert the otolaryngologist to the possibility of an underlying syndrome diagnosis. The 22q11 deletion test is beneficial in diagnosing patients with genotypic, but not phenotypic, VCFS in this population. In tested subjects of our patient population, 28% (4 patients) had the genotype for VCFS, without clinical evidence of VCFS.

Adenoidectomy↗

Causes of tonsillar disease and frequency of tonsillectomy operations.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the factors that influence the frequency of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy operations. DESIGN AND SETTING: Nationwide questionnaire. Analysis of patients undergoing tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy at Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred eighty-three of 819 individuals randomly selected from the Finnish National Public Registry. Two thousand two hundred thirty-one individuals younger than 30 years who underwent tonsillectomy (888 patients), adenotonsillectomy (294 patients), or adenoidectomy (1049 patients) at Helsinki University Central Hospital from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age of the individual at the time of operation. Indication for the operation. RESULTS: The frequency of adenoidectomies was 24% (116 persons) and that of tonsillectomies 8% (39 persons) among the 483 individuals who returned the questionnaire. The frequency of tonsillectomy operations by age was multimodal; the frequency of tonsillectomies increased in preschool-aged children, declined thereafter, and increased again in teenagers. Tonsillar hyperplasia was the most frequent among children younger than 10 years, peritonsillar abscesses among teenagers, and chronic tonsillitis among individuals older than 20 years. The proportion of females was higher than males among teenaged patients. However, the cause and sex distribution could not explain the multimodality in the age-specific frequency. The age-specific frequency of tonsillectomies performed because of peritonsillar abscesses still followed a multimodal distribution. CONCLUSIONS: Factors relating to respiratory tract infections, maturation of the immune system, and the onset of puberty contribute to the cause of tonsillar disease. Distinct indications for tonsillectomy should be defined for preschool-aged children, teenagers, and individuals older than 20 years.

Adenoidectomy↗

Efficacy of a stepwise protocol that includes intravenous antibiotic therapy for the management of chronic sinusitis in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Recent concern regarding interference with facial skeletal growth and the risk of complications after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has led to interest in exploring other treatment options for the management of chronic sinusitis in children. OBJECTIVE: To present the use of a stepwise protocol that includes intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy as a therapeutic alternative to pediatric ESS. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with chronic sinusitis treated from January 1, 1993, to July 1, 1998, with a stepwise protocol that includes the use of IV antibiotics. SETTING: Academic tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Seventy patients, aged 10 months to 15 years, with the diagnosis of chronic sinusitis as defined by symptomatic disease for at least 12 weeks. All patients had persistent symptoms and radiographic evidence of sinus disease by computed tomographic scan after a minimum 3- to 4-week course of oral antibiotics. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were treated with maxillary sinus aspiration and irrigation with selective adenoidectomy, followed by a 1- to 4-week course of a culture-directed IV antibiotic. Most patients also underwent placement of a long-arm IV catheter. OUTCOME MEASURES: Medical charts were reviewed for clinical response to IV antibiotics, complications from IV antibiotic therapy, need for ESS, and recurrent episodes of sinusitis. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients studied, 62 (89%) had complete resolution of symptoms following IV therapy with selective adenoidectomy. Eight patients (11%) failed IV therapy and required ESS. Thirty-seven patients (53%) underwent concurrent adenoidectomy. Patients treated with concurrent adenoidectomy had equivocal response rates compared with patients treated with IV antibiotic therapy alone. Follow-up data were available for 52 patients (range, 6-62 months; mean, 25 months). All recurrent episodes resolved with oral antibiotic therapy. Complications from IV therapy included superficial thrombophlebitis in 6 patients (9%) and dislodgement of a catheter guidewire during placement in 1 patient (1%), requiring venotomy. Antibiotic-related complications also occurred in 3 patients (4%) and included serum sickness, pseudomembranous colitis, and drug fevers. CONCLUSION: A stepwise protocol that includes IV antibiotic therapy is a safe and efficacious mode of therapy for the management of chronic sinusitis in children and adolescents and may be a reasonable alternative to pediatric ESS.

Adenoidectomy↗

Incidence of and risk factors for additional tympanostomy tube insertion in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors that account for additional tympanostomy tube placement among children who have undergone an initial placement of ventilation tubes. DESIGN: Retrospective case review of consecutive patients. SETTING: A tertiary care pediatric hospital. PATIENTS: Five-year consecutive series of 2121 children cared for in a hospital-based, tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology practice. INTERVENTION: Subsequent need for additional ventilation tube surgery. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-three (19.9%) of the 2121 children who underwent initial placement of bilateral myringotomy tubes (BMTs) between April 20, 1995, and May 25, 1998, subsequently had a second set of tubes placed by May 25, 2000. Children 18 months or younger at the time of initial BMT placement were nearly twice as likely (26.3% vs 15.9%) to undergo a second BMT procedure when compared with children who were older than 18 months at initial surgery (P<.005). The probability of having a second BMT procedure was reduced if adenoidectomy was performed at the first BMT procedure (0.08 vs 0.24, P<.001). Adenoidectomy status, craniofacial deformities, and a family history of adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy with or without BMTs were independent risk factors for multiple BMTs. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiologic analysis of this consecutive series of patients who underwent BMT placement in a tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology practice suggests that 1 in 5 patients will subsequently require a second set of ventilation tubes. Age younger than 18 months at the time of the initial BMT procedure is associated with an increased risk for additional surgery but is not an independent risk factor. Adenoidectomy reduces the incidence of subsequent BMTs following initial surgery.

Acute Disease↗

The effect of intravenous dexamethasone in pediatric adenotonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the intravenous administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate before tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy can reduce the morbidity from, and increase the safety of, this procedure. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: A university medical center, caring for both ambulatory and hospitalized children. PATIENTS: Eighty children aged 3 to 15 years undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for either chronic tonsillitis or adenotonsillar hypertrophy (obstructive sleep apnea and/or upper airway obstruction). INTERVENTIONS: Forty-one children received intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate (1 mg/kg up to 16 mg) and 39 received placebo before undergoing an electrocautery dissection tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative oral intake, pain, vomiting, temperature, and complications. RESULTS: Patients who received intravenous dexamethasone had significantly less trismus, vomiting, and elevations of temperature 6 hours after surgery and more oral intake (liquids and soft solids) at 24 hours. Three children, all of whom were in the placebo group, had emergency department visits for pain and dehydration. Each group had one child who had a secondary hemorrhage (no surgery needed), one child who had pneumonia, and one child who had night terrors. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with intravenous dexamethasone before electrocautery tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is safe, increases early postoperative oral intake, and decreases morbidity.

Adenoidectomy↗

Surgical modalities other than ethmoidectomy.

When medical management fails to control the symptoms of chronic sinusitis, surgical intervention is frequently considered. The more commonly recommended procedures include tonsilectomy and adenoidectomy, adenoidectomy alone, maxillary sinus irrigation, and nasal antral windows. These procedures have not undergone meticulous prospective evaluation or documentation of chronic sinusitis. It has only recently become known that plain sinus x-ray films are frequently misleading, and there has been a tendency to completely ignore ethmoid disease. Adenoidectomy has been frequently recommended; however, these studies have not documented the duration of symptoms or the extent of disease. Approximately 20% of the patients treated with tonsilectomy and adenoidectomy do not have resolution of symptoms of chronic sinusitis. It is prudent, however, to remove an enlarged obstructive adenoid pad as a first course of therapy. Irrigation has been proposed, but it treats only the maxillary sinus, and the ethmoid sinuses are involved approximately 70% of the time. One irrigation rarely clears the symptoms. Nasal antral windows in children require well-developed maxillary sinuses and do not maintain their patency. Therefore they are not an effective mechanism for treating chronic sinusitis. Other surgical modalities must therefore be sought.

Adenoidectomy↗

Clinical guidelines, defensive medicine, and the physician between the two.

PURPOSE: In this article, we study the use of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommendations regarding coagulation screening tests before tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy by ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians in Israel and offer insights into the reasons for accepting/declining this recommendation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During April and May 2002, 309 self-administered questionnaires were sent to all ENT physician members of the Israeli Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Physicians answered questions regarding demographic data, their habits of preoperative laboratory and imaging tests before tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, and the reasons for performing these tests. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-six (63.4% compliance rate) physicians responded to the survey. One hundred fifty-four (78.6% of the responding physicians) do not follow guideline recommendations and ask their otherwise healthy patients to undergo prothrombin time/partial thromboplastin time (PT/PTT) tests before tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Common practice in their departments was the leading reasoning for preoperative PT/PTT testing for 101 (51.5%) physicians. Eighty-nine physicians (45.4%) specifically stated that the reason for this behavior is defensive medicine, thirty-two physicians (16.3%) stated that the reason for those tests is hospital requirements, and literature recommendation was the reason in 24 (12.2%), followed by personal experience for 11 physicians (5.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Most ENT physicians in Israel do not follow clinical guidelines and perform unnecessary coagulation tests before tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. More studies are needed to find ways to change physicians' behavior regarding preoperative tests.

Adenoidectomy↗

Coblation adenotonsillectomy: an improvement over electrocautery technique?

OBJECTIVES: To compare postoperative complication rates of coblation and electrocautery adenotonsillectomies. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: From January 2000 to June 2004, 1997 pediatric patients underwent adenotonsillectomy. 745 coblation, and 1252 electrocautery tonsillectomies were performed. Primary bleed, secondary bleed, and dehydration were seen in 3, 35, and 23 coblation, and 9, 41, and 64 electrocautery tonsillectomies, respectively. Data analysis revealed no significant difference in primary and secondary hemorrhage rate, but a higher dehydration rate in the electrocautery group (P=0.0423). A total of 602 coblation, 763 curette/cautery, and 632 electrocautery adenoidectomies were performed. Neck pain was seen in 0, 17, and 3 patients, respectively. Data analysis showed a higher incidence of neck pain with the curette/cautery technique compared with coblator and cautery techniques (P=0.0006 and P=0.0119, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Coblation tonsillectomy had similar rates of primary and secondary hemorrhage when compared with electrocautery tonsillectomy but a lower incidence of postoperative dehydration. Coblation adenoidectomy caused less postoperative neck pain than curette/cautery adenoidectomy without significant advantage over cautery adenoidectomy. EBM RATING: B-3b.

Adenoidectomy↗