[Recurrent secretory otitis media and adenoidism. A retrospective study of the results observed with the medical and surgical therapy of 1250 children].

A retrospective study, between 1982 and 1993, on 1250 children with otitis media with effusion and hypertrophic adenoids was carried out. 1150 children were selected from those who had been administered S-carboxymethylcysteine-lysine for three months period, and antihistaminics, decongestants and anti-inflammatory drugs as concomitant treatment and 100 children from those who had undergone adenoidectomy. ORL-examination, audiometry and tympanometry, before and after the period of the therapy, were performed. No significant differences were found between the two groups with a percentage of successful outcome of 77-79%. On the basis of the data obtained, the tendency of avoiding surgical management by using the appropriate pharmacological therapy is underlined, particularly taking into consideration the safety profile of the medical treatment.