Evaluation of middle ear pressure in the early period after adenoidectomy in children with adenoid hypertrophy without otitis media with effusion.

Objective: Our aim was to analyze the changes in middle ear pressure in the early period after adenoidectomy in children with adenoid hypertrophy without otitis media with effusion.

Methods: This prospective, descriptive study was performed on 64 patients (with normal tympanic membranes and tympanograms) undergoing adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy. All patients were operated by single experienced team using curettage technique. First tympanometry was done on the day before surgery. Tympanometry was repeated on the first-, third-, and seventh-day after the operation. Patients are separated into two groups according to age as patients younger than 6 years (Group A) and patients older than 6 years (Group B). All data were separately evaluated for each ear using Jerger Classification.

Results: Of the 64 patients included in the study, 35 were male and 29 were female, and the average age was 91.01 ± 37.4 (35-178) months. Pathological decreases in the middle ear pressures of at least one ear were determined in 48 (75%) patients on the first postoperative day and in 10 (15.6%) patients on the third postoperative day. Middle ear pressures returned to preoperative values by the seventh postoperative day except in two patients. There were statistically significant differences (p<0.0001) among preoperative and first, third, and seventh postoperative day mean middle ear pressure. There were no statistically significant differences between Groups A and B in terms of tympanometry values of both ears obtained preoperatively and on the first, third, and seventh postoperative day.

Conclusion: In our study, temporary eustachian dysfunction and aural fullness occur in the early period after adenoidectomy and/or adenotonsillectomy. This situation may be due to post-surgery clots and edema in nasopharynx. We consider that tubal orifice can be exposed to surgical trauma as adenoidectomy surgeries are done by curettage technique. There is a need for comparative studies using microdebrider or laser adenoidectomy accompanied by an endoscope.