Digital and mirror assessment of the adenoids at operation.

The size of an adenoid is generally considered to be a significant factor in the causation of Eustachian tube dysfunction and glue ear in children. We studied 120 consecutive cases of children undergoing adenoidectomy. Our aim was to assess the accuracy of the digital and mirror examinations in identifying adenoid size. Two surgeons of 1 and 2 years' experience in the speciality were found to have a statistically significant correlation between mirror examination and the amount of adenoid removed at operation. One surgeon of 4 years' experience was found to have a higher degree of correlation for both mirror and digital examinations.