INTRODUCTION: The authors evaluate the minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) and nasal volume (NV) of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx before and after adenoidectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical prospective. AIM: Evaluate changes of nasal cavity and nasopharynx before and after adenoidectomy using objective technique for assessment the nasal patency, acoustic rhinometry. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-three children (52 nasal cavities) with surgical indication for adenoidectomy were evaluated with acoustic rhinometry before and 15 days after surgery. RESULTS: The MCA of nasal cavity changed, before decongestion, from 0,73 cm² preoperatively into 0,79 cm² postoperatively and after decongestion, from 0,87 cm² preoperatively into 0,93 cm² postoperatively. The volume of nasal cavity changed, before decongestion, from 6,18 cm³ preoperatively into 6,47 cm³ postoperatively and after decongestion, from 8,31 cm³ preoperatively into 8,65 cm³ postoperatively. The MCA of nasopharynx changed, before decongestion, from 2,43 cm² preoperatively into 2,69 cm² postoperatively and after decongestion, from 2,76 cm² preoperatively into 3,79 cm² postoperatively. The volume of nasopharynx changed, before decongestion, from 5,57 cm³ preoperatively into 6,14 cm³ postoperatively and after decongestion, from 6,51 cm³ preoperatively into 8,78 cm³ postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The increase of MCA and volume of the nasopharynx agree with the improvement of the symptoms that patients or parents reported after adenoidectomy.
adenoidectomy; acoustic rhinometry
