A Comparative Study on Conventional Adenoidectomy and Endoscopic Powered Adenoidectomy

Introduction: Adenoids are a type of nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue that is a component of Waldeyer’s ring. They are typically present from birth, reach their maximum size between the ages of 7 and 10 years, and then gradually decrease in size to become atrophied in adulthood. The objective of the current study is to compare conventional adenoidectomy using curette with power-assisted adenoidectomy. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Center from March 2023 to August 2023. A total of 40 patients were planned for adenoidectomy and randomly allocated under two groups. The conventional curettage adenoidectomy method was done on patients in Group A and patients in Group B who underwent power-assisted adenoidectomy using microdebrider. Both the groups were further compared in terms of surgical clearance of adenoids, operative time taken in procedure, injury to surrounding structures, and symptom score improvement on follow-up. Results: Surgical clearance was excellent in Group B with no adenoid tags left in all 20 (100%) patients, whereas few tags were left in 18 (90%) patients in Group A (P < 0.0001). The mean operative time (in minutes) for Group A was 22.4 ± 1.67, whereas Group B was 18.1 ± 1.76 (P = 0.001). Postoperative pain score in Group A was 3.7 ± 1.63, whereas for Group B was 2.8 ± 1.01 (P < 0.043). Recovery time in terms of number of days to return to normal diet and activities in Group A was 3.1 ± 0.3 days, whereas Group B was less 2.1 ± 0.2 days (P < 001). Postoperative nasal symptom score at 6 weeks in Group A was 1 in 1 patient and 2 in 4 patients with mean of 0.45 ± 83, whereas in Group B was 0 (P = 0.043). Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that power-assisted adenoidectomy was a better surgical procedure than conventional adenoidectomy. There was better improvement in nasal symptom score and surgical clearance by power-assisted adenoidectomy. Postoperative pain score and time taken for recovery after surgery were also less in power-assisted adenoidectomy.