The benefits of endoscopic look after curettage adenoidectomy

Abstract Background Conventional curettage adenoidectomy (CCA) has a risk of incomplete removal of all adenoid tissue, and digital nasopharyngeal palpation is not enough to assess adenoid removal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of trans-oral endoscopic look of the nasopharynx (ELN) after CCA. Results This prospective study included 1900 children with adenoid hypertrophy. CCA was used for treatment, followed by ELN. Bleeding points and/or adenoid tissue remnants were recorded and managed. One year postoperatively, nasal endoscopy was performed to detect adenoid regrowth. ELN showed bleeding points in 17 patients (0.9%) and residual adenoid tissue remnants in 855 patients (45%). Intraoperatively, the lesions were cauterized and ablated under visualization. However, adenoid regrowths were detected in 263 (42%) out of 627 children (33%) who were subjected to endoscopic examination after 1 year of adenoid removal. Conclusions Trans-oral endoscopic look of the nasopharynx after CCA is a beneficial method in detection of adenoid remnants and bleeding points. Also, it could decrease symptomatic adenoid regrowth postoperatively.