In the never ending search for ways to control repeat ear infections in children, doctors at Helsinki University Central Hospital looked at the effect adenoid removal had on the number of ear infections in children.
All of the 2,497 children in the study were under two years old. Of this group, only 306 met the criteria for recurrent ear infections. All were scheduled to have tympanostomy tubes inserted. The researchers had hoped that all 306 could be randomized into two groups Ð half also undergoing an adenoidectomy and half not. However, the parents of only 137 of the children agreed to participate. The children were followed for an average of seven months. The number of infections each child had were carefully monitored.
The children who had their adenoids removed at the time their ear tubes were inserted did no better than the children whose adenoids were left in place. In other words, adenoidectomy made no difference in the rate of ear infections.
Since this is a short-term study, nothing can be said about any longer lasting effect of adenoidectomy on the rate of ear infections or other infections. This is another instance where less treatment may be best.
Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 2/03, pp. 163-8.
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