AIM OSCE / OSPE • MBBS
Station 14 — Adenoid and Nasopharyngeal Procedures
🎯 Candidate Task
Identify the basic setup and important instruments used for adenoid surgery and outline the major steps of adenoidectomy. Then describe the purpose, basic principles and important safety considerations of obtaining a nasopharyngeal biopsy.
⚡ Model Station Answer
Adenoidectomy: The patient is anesthetized, positioned with the mouth exposed using a mouth gag, the nasopharynx is visualized or palpated, and the adenoid tissue is removed using an appropriate curette, microdebrider or other surgical technique.
Important instruments: These include a Boyle-Davis mouth gag, tongue blade, adenoid curette and suction equipment.
Completion: The nasopharynx is inspected for residual tissue and bleeding, and haemostasis is secured.
Nasopharyngeal biopsy: A suspicious lesion is visualized, preferably endoscopically, representative tissue is obtained with biopsy forceps and sent for histopathological examination while avoiding significant bleeding or injury to surrounding structures.
🔎 How to Perform / Approach
- Step 1 — Identify the adenoidectomy setup:
Recognize the operating-table setup, adequate illumination or endoscopic visualization, Boyle-Davis mouth gag with tongue blade, adenoid curette and suction equipment. - Step 2 — Position and expose:
Adenoidectomy is performed under general anaesthesia. The mouth is opened with a mouth gag and the soft palate is retracted when required to provide access to the nasopharynx. - Step 3 — Identify the adenoid tissue:
The surgeon confirms the position and extent of the adenoids by palpation, mirror or endoscopic visualization before removal. - Step 4 — Remove the adenoids:
Adenoid tissue is removed under controlled visualization using an appropriate technique such as an adenoid curette, microdebrider, suction diathermy or coblation while protecting surrounding nasopharyngeal structures. - Step 5 — Check haemostasis:
Suction the operative field, inspect for residual adenoid tissue and active bleeding, and achieve adequate haemostasis before completing the procedure. - Step 6 — Approach a nasopharyngeal biopsy:
Visualize the suspicious lesion, preferably with a nasal endoscope, select a representative area and obtain tissue with suitable biopsy forceps without blind or unnecessarily traumatic manipulation. - Step 7 — Handle the biopsy safely:
Control bleeding, place the specimen in the appropriate labelled container and send it for histopathological examination. Document the biopsy site and procedure.
🖼️ Visual Learning
Adenoidectomy — Setup, Instruments and Major Steps

Nasopharyngeal Biopsy — Endoscopic Technique and Safety

🎥 Practical Demonstration
Adenoidectomy Video — Surgical Demonstration
This operative demonstration is useful for visualizing the anatomical location of the adenoids and the basic sequence of surgical removal and haemostasis.
📝 Important Viva Questions
1. Where are the adenoids located?
Answer: Adenoids are lymphoid tissue situated mainly on the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
2. Name two important instruments used during conventional adenoidectomy.
Answer: A Boyle-Davis mouth gag provides oral exposure, and an adenoid curette is used to remove adenoid tissue. Suction equipment is also required.
3. What is an important final step before completing an adenoidectomy?
Answer: The nasopharynx must be inspected for residual tissue and active bleeding, and adequate haemostasis must be confirmed.
4. What is the main purpose of a nasopharyngeal biopsy?
Answer: It provides representative tissue for histopathological diagnosis of a suspicious nasopharyngeal lesion.
5. Why should a highly vascular nasopharyngeal mass not be blindly biopsied?
Answer: Biopsy of a vascular lesion may cause severe haemorrhage; the lesion should first undergo appropriate clinical and imaging assessment.
