An interventional study of Cold Curettage Adenoidectomy and Coblation-Assisted Adenoidectomy in Endoscopic Coblation Adenoidectomy, sponsored by Medipol University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 3 Years to 11 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-18.
Sponsored by Medipol University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Adenoidectomy is a common pediatric otolaryngologic procedure. While cold curettage remains widely practiced, endoscopic coblation has been developed to enhance precision, minimize intraoperative complications, and reduce residual tissue. This study compared outcomes of conventional cold curettage adenoidectomy and coblation-assisted adenoidectomy in pediatric patients.
A total of 128 pediatric patients aged 3-11 years who underwent adenoidectomy between August 2024 and August 2025 was prospectively evaluated with a follow-up duration of 6-12 months. (Table 1) Of these, 64 underwent adenoidectomy and/or myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion using the conventional cold curettage method, while the remaining 64 underwent the same procedures using the endoscopic coblation technique with 0° or 70° endoscopes. All patients had been diagnosed with adenoid hypertrophy and were unresponsive to medical treatment. Indications for surgery included nasal obstruction and associated symptoms such as snoring, apnea, mouth breathing during sleep, recurrent otitis media, and hearing loss due to serous otitis media.
Exclusion criteria included patients who underwent concurrent tonsillectomy, dental procedures, or nasal surgeries such as septoplasty and/or turbinate reduction. Patients with chronic neurological disorders or cleft palate were also excluded. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to inclusion in the study.
All patients underwent a detailed anamnesis and clinical examination. Following the application of a nasal decongestant spray, nasal endoscopy was performed, and the size and position of the adenoid tissue were scored from 1 to 4 using the McMurray and Clemens scoring system.4 In patients who were uncooperative or for whom endoscopic examination could not be performed, lateral nasopharyngeal radiographs were taken to allow for grading. During the operation, the size and extent of the adenoid tissue were confirmed transnasally or transorally using 0° or 70° rigid endoscopes.
Inclusion Criteria: Adenoid hypertrophy and were unresponsive to medical treatment. Indications for surgery included nasal obstruction and associated symptoms such as snoring, apnea, mouth breathing during sleep, recurrent otitis media, and hearing loss due to serous otitis media.
-
Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria included patients who underwent concurrent tonsillectomy, dental procedures, or nasal surgeries such as septoplasty and/or turbinate reduction. Patients with chronic neurological disorders or cleft palate were also excluded
-
Conventional adenoidectomy performed using cold curettage technique.
Procedure: Cold Curettage Adenoidectomy
Endoscopic adenoidectomy performed using coblation technology.
Procedure: Coblation-Assisted Adenoidectomy
After achieving adequate exposure under general anesthesia using a Boyle-Davis mouth gag, the soft palate and adenoid tissue were manually palpated, and curettage was performed using a suitably sized adenotome. Residual tissue areas suspected upon digital palpation and laryngeal mirror examination were further curetted using a smaller adenotome.
The nasopharynx and choanae were fully visualized using a 2.7 mm 0° pediatric transnasal endoscope and a 70° 4 mm transoral endoscope, then adenoidectomy was completed using a coblation technique. The procedure was performed using the Coblator II cold radiofrequency coblation device equipped with the PROcise XP plasma rod system, which can be shaped to reach all areas of the adenoid tissue (especially the upper part of the nasopharynx and the opening to the eustachian tubes) and is designed for soft tissue ablation and dissection.
Residual Adenoid Tissue Rate
Presence of residual adenoid tissue evaluated postoperatively.
Time frame: During the follow-up assessments at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively
Operative Time
Duration of the surgical procedure.
Time frame: During surgery
Intraoperative Complications
Occurrence of intraoperative complications such as bleeding or mucosal injury.
Time frame: During Surgery
Intraoperative Blood Loss
The total blood loss was calculated by subtracting the amount of saline used from the total fluid volume in the suction canister and adding the estimated amount from the gauze.
Time frame: During Surgery
Postoperative Pain
Postoperative pain was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain ever experienced). Parents were asked to rate their child's pain at the first 24 hours and at the 72nd hour based on their child's behavior such as crying and discomfort
Time frame: Post operative 24 hours and at the 72nd hour
Halitosis
Postoperative halitosis was assessed based on parental observation. Parents were instructed to approach their child from a distance of approximately 10 cm and to record the presence or absence of unpleasant oral odor
Time frame: Postoperative two weeks
This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Medipol University