Management of enlarged adenoid in adults: Adenoidectomy using the Illman's adenoid curette under endoscopic video monitoring control

ABSTRACT

The objective of this prospective study is to present our experience in the management of enlarged adenoids in adults over a period of 4 years, January 2000 to January 2004. This was carried out at the Otorhinolaryngology Department, Dubai Hospital, UAE. This study was performed on 45 cases of enlarged adenoid, aged between 18-55 years [average age of 33 years] including 27 males and 18 females. Cases were selected after failure of medical treatment to improve patients' symptoms and after histopathological and CT exclusion of malignancy. Thirty-four patients presented with persistent nasal symptoms and 26 with persistent aural symptoms. Nasal endoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy, ear examination, plain x-ray, and CT nasopharynx were performed on all patients. Adenoidectomy using Illman's adenoid curette under endoscopic video-monitoring control was done, and all excised material was sent for histopathological examination. Nasal symptoms subsided within a week after surgery and associated sinusitis improved in all cases without need for sinus surgery. Middle ear ventilation improved in 15 cases and only 4 cases required ventilation tubes [grommets and T-tubes]. Histopathology revealed non-specific inflammation in all cases. The operative time and bleeding is less than conventional adenoidectomy. Adenoidectomy using lllman 's adenoid curette under endoscopic video monitoring control is less likely to cause complications than conventional adenoidectomy