Nine studies were included in the review (n=2,522). Sample sizes ranged from 23 to 1,387.
Subjective success for any form of adenoidectomy was high, ranging from 82.6% to 98.4% (eight studies). Overall success rate of electrocautery adenoidectomy (based on subjective reporting of improvement after surgery) was 95% (95% CI: 92.7 to 97.3%; six studies), complication rates were 1.9% (95% CI: 0.5 to 3.3%; eight studies), adenoid re-growth was 2.8% (95% CI: 0 to 5.5%; seven studies).
A reduction in intra-operative blood loss (weighted mean difference 19.8cc, 95% CI: 16.51 to 23.12cc; p<0.001 and standardised mean difference 1.61, 95% CI: 1.35 to 1.86, p<0.001; three studies) and a small advantage in operative time (weighted mean difference 1.86 minutes, 95% CI: 0.82 to 2.9 minutes, p<0.001 and standardised mean difference 0.50, 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.73, p value not reported; three studies) was found for electrocautery adenoidectomy when compared with curette adenoidectomy.