Adenoidectomy
Adenoids are located at the back of the nose, at the roof of the throat, above and behind the soft palate. They are tissues that are supposed to trap and destroy viruses and bacteria entering the breathing passages.
Adenoids tend to reduce and disappear, as we get older. Therefore this is mainly an operation performed on children. An adenoidectomy may also be carried out in combination with other surgical procedures such as a tonsillectomy.
Common Symptoms
The Main Reasons for Removal of the Adenoids Include:
Enlarged Adenoids are Blocking the Airway
- Severe nasal blockage, mouth breathing, nasal speech and snoring.
- Swollen adenoids combined with large tonsils can cause severe obstruction to airflow (obstructive sleep apnoea).
Glue Ear / Recurrent Ear Infections
- Adenoid infection and inflammation can cause glue ear and recurrent bouts of ear infections. In this circumstance an adenoidectomy may be performed together with insertion of grommets.
Chronic or Repeated Tonsillitis
The Surgery
This is a procedure usually performed under general anaesthesia. Adenoid removal is done on an outpatient basis. This means that your child will have surgery and then go home the same day.
The surgeon will insert a small instrument into your child’s mouth to prop it open and will then remove the adenoid glands. Alternatively some surgeons may cauterize the adenoids (seal the tissue using a heated device) instead of removing them.
Following surgery your child will go to a recovery room to be monitored closely. After your child is fully awake and doing well, the recovery room nurse will bring your child back to the day surgery area. At this point, if everything is going well, you and your child will be able to go home.
Caring for your Child after Surgery
Your child will go home on the same day as surgery. Complete recovery takes about 1 to 2 weeks.
Following surgery most children breathe through their nose better and have fewer and milder sore throats and ear infections after an adenoidectomy.
