Endoscopic-Assisted Adenoidectomy by Microdebrider Versus Coblation in Children

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Adenoidectomy is a common pediatric procedure performed and endoscopic, instrumented techniques such as a powered microdebrider and coblation aim to improve visualization and completeness of resection while potentially reducing pain, bleeding and recurrence compared with blind curettage. To compare clinical outcomes and safety of endoscopic-assisted adenoidectomy using a microdebrider versus coblation in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective comparative cohort study included 50 children who underwent endoscopic-assisted adenoidectomy using either a microdebrider (n = 25) or coblation (n = 25) during a 6-month study period. Operative time (skin-to-skin), pain scores at 24 h, early complications at prespecified intervals, and endoscopic assessment at 6 months were extracted from medical records and compared. Results: Groups were comparable at baseline (mean age ≈ 9.6 years, all baseline p > 0.05). Mean skin-to-skin operative time was significantly shorter with the microdebrider (24.9 ± 6.9 min) than with coblation (31.1 ± 8.4 min), p = 0.004. Mean 24 h VAS did not differ significantly between the microdebrider and coblation (3.20 ± 1.21 vs. 2.73 ± 1.30, p = 0.191). Early complication rates (postoperative bleeding within 48 h, infection within 7 d, halitosis, neck pain) were low and showed no statistically significant differences (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Both microdebrider and coblation endoscopic adenoidectomy were safe and effective in this cohort study. The microdebrider was associated with a shorter operative time in our setting, while early pain, short-term complications and six-month endoscopic residual/recurrence were similar between techniques.