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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Andrew J. Parker  and
A. Richard Maw
Andrew J. Parker*
Affiliation:
Research Fellow and Hononary Registrar, Clinical Lecturer and Head of Department, The Department of Otolaryngology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW.
A. Richard Maw
Affiliation:
Consultant Surgeon, Clinical Lecturer and Head of Department, The Department of Otolaryngology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW.
*
Mr A. J. Parker, The Department of Otolaryngology, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, South Yorkshire.
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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.

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 103 , Issue 1 , January 1989 , pp. 66 - 70
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1989

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