title: Residual adenoid tissue post-curettage: role of nasopharyngoscopy in adenoidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Curettage adenoidectomy is one of the most common methods of adenoidectomy. This study reports the incidence of residual adenoid tissue after curettage and grades the degree of post-nasal space obstruction using fibre-optic nasopharyngoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 425 consecutive patients undergoing curette adenoidectomy in a 5-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 425 patients, 288 (68%) had some residual adenoid tissue evident with nasopharyngoscopy, of which 104 (24%) had significant obstruction (grade 2 or 3). No age or sex difference was found in the likelihood or severity of residual adenoid tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant proportion of patients will have residual adenoid tissue following curette adenoidectomy alone. Nasopharyngoscopy permits a more complete resection in a cost-effective, quick and easily performed additional step.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Mona Vale Hospital, Mona Vale, New South Wales, Australia. alex_saxby@optusnet.com.au
authors.forename: Alex J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Saxby
authors.forename: Clive A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chappel
mesh_terms: D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D000234:Adenoids / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003475:Curettage; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction; D012189:Retrospective Studies