title: Superior adenoidectomy in children with palatal abnormalities.
abstract: When treating a child with a palatal abnormality for otitis media or a nasal obstruction, otolaryngologists often face the question of whether the benefits of adenoidectomy are worth the risk of the development of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Treatment options for these patients include a complete adenoidectomy, a partial adenoidectomy, or no surgical intervention. In this retrospective study, we describe the outcomes of 22 such patients who were treated with a superior adenoidectomy performed with a St. Clair adenoidforceps under indirect vision with a laryngeal mirror. All patients experienced a complete or near-complete resolution of their nasal obstruction, and none developed permanent velopharyngeal insufficiency. Only three patients experienced a recurrence of otitis media. Our experience suggests that superior adenoidectomy is a safe and effective procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kakani
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Callan
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: April
mesh_terms: D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010159:Palate / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*