Treatment of glue ear in relation to radiographic palatal airway size: a predictor for outcome following adenoidectomy?

Abstract

Adenoidectomy performed for 'glue ear' accounts for many of the admissions for surgery in childhood. In spite of this there are no objective guidelines to enable the clinician to select those cases in whom a definite benefit is likely, or in whom such procedures might best be avoided. A total of 147 children with established bilateral glue ear randomized to adenoidectomy (A) or no pharyngeal surgery (NS) treatment groups were examined for clearance of effusion in an unoperated ear after one year. Outcome was analysed with respect to the pre-operative Radiographic Palatal Airway size in three groups in relation to mean measurements obtained from matched populations of normal children and those with established disease. Those with small airways had significantly increased clearance following A when compared with NS between the ages of 3-7 years. Adenoidectomy should probably not be performed in those children with large airway measurements, although the outcome may ultimately be related to the age at which surgery is performed.