Objective: To assess the morbidity and efficacy of radiofrequency thermal ablation adenoidectomy (coblation) compared with traditional adenoidectomyStudy design and setting: Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study of 113 patients aged 1 to 20 years admitted for adenoidectomy therein 61 patients by Coblator II system and 52 patients by La Force, all with recurrent or chronic adenoiditis, obstructive adenoid hypertrophy or otitis media with effusion.