The Efficacy of Adenoidectomy on Otitis Media with Effusion According to the Age of Child

Abstract

Aim: The study compares the efficacy of adenoidectomy and myringotomy on the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children depending on the size of adenoids (AV) and age. Material and methods: A total of 509 children with OME lasting at least 3 months, who underwent endoscopic adenoidectomy (AT) and myringotomy without the insertion of a ventilation tube in the years 2010–2019 were enrolled in the study. The efficacy of AT and myringotomy on OME was evaluated with regard to the size of the adenoids, their relationship to the tubal tori, the viscosity of middle ear effusion and the age of the child. To evaluate the effect of age, children were divided into two groups—up to 4 years and over 4 years. Results: The efficacy of AT and myringotomy in OME treatment was demonstrated in both groups. Within the entire group, a significantly greater benefit of AT and myringotomy was found in children with adenoids in contact with the tubal tori (grade B) or compressing them (grade C) (p = 0.039). Other parameters were not statistically significant. Neither the size of the adenoids relative to the choanae, nor the children age, nor the type of middle ear effusion (serous, mucous) had an effect on the treatment. Conclusion: AT and myringotomy is an effective surgical procedure in the treatment of OME not only in children older than 4 years, but also in younger children. The effect of the surgery is affected by the contact of adenoids to tubal tori. © The Author(s) 2025.