Effectiveness of Adenoidectomy in Children
Children receiving an adenoidectomy to lessen chances of respiratory system infections, like sinusitis and colds, do not experience fewer incidents of these infections, according to research released in the British Medical Journal.Before considering surgery for your child, consult an allergist. Chronic sinus conditions can be triggered by an allergic condition that will not be cured by surgery. View Chronic Sinusitis for a background on the condition. From the full text:
Results: During the median follow-up of 24 months, there were 7.91 episodes of upper respiratory tract infections per person year in the adenoidectomy group and 7.84 in the watchful waiting group (difference in incidence rate 0.07, 95% confidence interval −0.70 to 0.85). No relevant differences were found for days of upper respiratory tract infections and middle ear complaints with fever in episodes and days, nor for health related quality of life. The prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections decreased over time in both groups. Children in the adenoidectomy group had significantly more days with fever than the children in the watchful waiting group. Two children had complications related to surgery.Conclusion: In children selected for adenoidectomy for recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, a strategy of immediate surgery confers no clinical benefits over a strategy of initial watchful waiting.