Coblation Adenoidectomy Versus Endoscopic Power- Assisted Adenoidectomy Down to the Pharyngobasilar Fascia, Pharyngeal Tubercle, and Occipital Periosteum Surface

Objective: To compare the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of coblation adenoidectomy with endoscopic power-assisted adenoidectomy.

Methods: This prospective non-randomized study was carried out on 110 patients who underwent 2 adenoidectomies without tonsillectomies from January 2010 to January 2018. Coblation (47.27%) and a power-assisted system (52.73%) were compared for preoperative and postoperative nasal obstruction, snoring, mouth breathing, and adenoid-to-nasopharynx (A/N) ratio. Surgical time, blood loss, recurrence rate, and postoperative complications were also analyzed.

Results: The pharyngobasilar fascia, pharyngeal tubercle, and occipital periosteum were left intact in both groups. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss associated with ablation were lower than those of the power-assisted system. No recurrence was observed after surgery in either group. No postoperative complications were found in the coblation group. One case of postoperative pharyngalgia occurred in the power-assisted group.

Conclusion: Ablation, like power-assisted methods, was effectively and successfully used when performing adenoidectomy to the pharyngobasilar fascia, pharyngeal tubercle, and occipital periosteum surface without damaging the retropharyngeal fascia space and pharyngeal muscle