INTRODUCTION
Enlarged adenoids are an important cause for conditions like serous
otitis media, obstructive sleep apnoea, Eustachian tube dysfunction,
nasal obstruction and chronic rhinosinusitis. Traditionally the
technique of adenoidectomy has been a transoral approach with an adenoid
curette or adenotome. As in this approach the adenoid tissue isn’t
visualized directly, there is always a chance of leaving behind some
adenoid tissue. Endoscopic microdebrider assisted technique is most
popular these days, it involves direct transnasal visualization of
adenoid tissue by a rigid zero degree nasal endoscope and removal of
adenoid tissue. This technique offers the advantage of direct
visualization of nasopharynx which results in more complete removal of
adenoid tissue as well as less chances of injury to the surrounding
structures. Various studies have been conducted to compare the
conventional curettage technique of adenoidectomy with endoscopic
microdebrider technique in terms of parameters such as completeness of
removal of adenoid tissue, time required for procedure, amount of blood
loss during the procedure, damage to the surrounding structures, post
operative pain, recovery time and symptomatic improvement following the
procedure. However there are no conclusive studies on whether the type
of technique used bears a relationship with the improvement in middle
ear function after the surgery. Our study aims at comparing the
conventional curettage method of adenoidectomy with endoscopic
microdebrider assisted technique in terms of post operative improvement
in middle ear function.