Objective: Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis were conducted to assess the efficacy and security of adenoidectomy for the treatment of otitis media with effusion in children.
Method: Based on the principles and methods of Cochrane systematic reviews, literature was searched in PubMed, Medline, Elisevier, Ovid, CBM, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang datebases. Randomized controlled trials about treatment of otitis media with effusion in children using adenoidectomy were included. Meta-analysis was performed for the result of homogeneous studies using RevMan 5.2 software.
Result: Adenoidectomy (combined with myringotomy or puncture) was superior to non-surgical (combined with myringotomy or puncture) treatment in reducing the incidence of acute otitis media and removing the middle ear effusion. Adenoidectomy combined with tympanostomy tube was superior to tympanostomy tube alone in the removal of the middle ear effusion and improvement of hearing level. Three trials described some postoperative complications including haemorrhage, incipient malignant hyperthermia, postoperative pneumonia and velopharyngeal insufficiency.
Conclusion: Our research shows a benefit of adenoidectomy in the removal of middle ear effusion in children with OME. Adenoidectomy combined with tympanostomy tube was superior to tympanostomy tube alone in improving hearing level. At present, there is no evidence of serious postoperative complications after adenoidectomy.