Revision adenoidectomy--a retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
Adenoid "re-growth" is a poorly understood phenomenon. While parents often express concerns regarding the potential for adenoid "re-growth", little information exists in the literature about its incidence and causation.


OBJECTIVE
To establish the incidence and possible contributing factors leading to adenoid re-growth in children.


METHODS
Retrospective case series review.


METHODS
Tertiary care children's hospital.


METHODS
The charts of 106 patients who underwent revision adenoidectomy between 1995 and 2006 were reviewed. Thirty-four patients were excluded because the primary adenoidectomy was performed elsewhere or initially only a partial adenoidectomy was performed. In the remaining 72 patients, demographic data, clinical presentation, associated medical conditions and findings at surgery were studied.


RESULTS
During the 11-year study period. 13,005 adenoidectomies or adenotonsillectomies were performed; 72/13,005 (0.55%) underwent revision adenoidectomy. The mean (+/-S.D.) age at presentation for primary adenoidectomy was 3.68+/-2.9 and 7.69+/-4.04 years for secondary ("revision") adenoidectomy with an average time interval of 4.3 years between surgeries. Age at initial adenoidectomy was not a significant factor in predicting revision adenoid surgery. 29/72 (40%) underwent a reflux work up including scintiscan with gastric emptying, 24h pH probe, or laryngoscopy. 28/29 (96%) were diagnosed with reflux. At least 15/72 (21%) were reported to have symptoms consistent with adenoid re-growth which were found to be caused by tubal tonsil hyperplasia.


CONCLUSIONS
Revision adenoidectomy rarely needs to be performed. Tubal tonsillar hyperplasia, as opposed to re-growth of residual adenoid tissue previously removed, accounts for some cases. Extraesophageal reflux is a possible cause in some and requires further study.
Monroy
Angelo
A
Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, NY 14202, United States.
Behar
Philomena
P
Brodsky
Linda
L
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000234:Adenoids / Q000473:pathology*; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D014068:Tonsillectomy