Background: Adenoidectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in paediatric otolaryngology. Endoscopic radiofrequency adenoidectomy is relatively new technique to achieve improved visualization and better haemostatic control compared to the traditional curettage adenoidectomy with expected better outcome. This study was done to assess the changes in the middle ear pressure in children with normal preoperative middle ear pressure and adenoid enlargement during the early postoperative period following endoscopic radiofrequency adenoidectomy.
Patients and Methods: 40 children with adenoid hypertrophy and normal tympanogram who had endoscopic radiofrequency adenoidectomy were included in this prospective study. Tympanometry was done before surgery and again on the first, third, and seventh postoperative days with the results being compared.
Results: the patients in this study consisted of 24 males and 16 females, with age range from 4 to 12 years and mean age of 7 years. On the first postoperative day, 14 (35%) patients had pathological declines in at least one ear's middle ear pressure, followed by 8 (20%) patients on the third postoperative day, and by the seventh postoperative day, the middle ear pressure (MEP) had restored to its preoperative level. On the first and third day following surgery, there was a statistically significant difference between MEP in both ears compared to the preoperative one, while the seventh day MEP showed no statistically significant difference.
Conclusion: Following endoscopic radiofrequency adenoidectomy in children, transient and temporary negative middle ear pressure without hearing loss occurs in the early postoperative phase.