Association of Adenoid Surface Biofilm Formation and Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion

Objectives: To investigate bacterial biofilm formation on the adenoid surface of pediatric patients undergoing adenoidectomy and to reveal whether this formation is associated with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME). Design: Prospective, single-blinded study with scanning electron microscopy. Setting: Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Research and Educational Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Patients: Thirty-four children between 4 and 15 years of age (mean age, 7.76 years) who had undergone adenoidectomy from June 1 through December 31, 2007, were divided into 2 groups. The first group (17 children) had undergone adenoidectomy alone, whereas the second group (17 children) had undergone adenoidectomy combined with ventilation tube insertion for COME. Main Outcome Measures: Scanning electron microscopy was performed to observe biofilm formation on the surface of adenoid tissues. The biofilm formation was graded according to extension. The roles of adenoid size, age, sex, and duration of COME symptoms were evaluated. Results: Biofilm formation was detected on all samples. Adenoids removed from patients with COME had higher-grade biofilm formation than the other group (P = .001). No correlation was found between adenoid size and biofilm formation. Conclusion: In pediatric patients, adenoid surface biofilm formation may be associated with COME etiopathogenesis.