All About Adenoid Surgery - When, Why and How
Understanding Adenoids
Adenoids are a patch of tissue in the back of the nasal passage. Adenoids, like tonsils, help keep the body healthy by preventing harmful bacteria and viruses that we inhale or swallow. These glands play a vital role in fighting infections in babies and young children. However, they become less important as we age and the body develops new ways to combat germs. Adenoids typically begin to shrink around the age of 5 and often completely disappear by the teen years.
The adenoids are a component of the immune system’s lymphatic system. They can be found in the mouth, the throat, and behind the nasal passages. Adenoids produce antibodies that aid in infection clearance and developing immunity in the body. But, when enlarged, they are also frequently required for removal in many patients.
Adenoid Surgery Key Points
- Commonly needed for children
- Majorly required for children with:
-Ongoing ear and sinus infections
-Swollen adenoids
-Middle-ear ventilation issues
- Can be done without removing tonsils
- Also known as Adenoidectomy
Enlargement of Adenoids
Enlargement and hypertrophy is a common reason for adenoid removal. Because of their location, adenoids can obstruct the post-nasal airways and impair breathing when they become enlarged. Enlarged adenoids also cause blockage of Eustachian tube and lead to repeated ear infections/ glue ear/ serous otitis media.
What is Adenoid Surgery or Adenoidectomy?
An Adenoid Surgery (Adenoidectomy) is a surgical procedure that removes your child’s adenoid glands. It is a quick and painless procedure, and needs to be done under general anaesthesia.
Adenoid Surgery is most commonly performed on children aged 2 to 7 years. It is noteworthy that adenoid glands naturally begin to shrink in children around the age of seven and are almost completely gone by the teen years.
What are the signs that indicate the need for adenoid removal surgery?
To determine whether an adenoidectomy is beneficial, our ENT specialist will perform a physical examination and review the patient’s medical history.
If you have any of the following symptoms, he will most likely recommend adenoid removal:
- Persistent nasal blockage
- Mouth breathing and adenoid facies
- Snoring that is too loud and bothers your partner
- Sleep apnea
- Earache, hearing loss
- Ear infections that last a long time
- Ear fluid accumulation
- An adenoid infection that is resistant to antibiotics
Adenoid Surgery - What does it entail?
Before the procedure
Before the procedure, a child with above symptoms may require an X-ray or a nasal endoscopy to evaluate the post-nasal space and severity of adenoid hypertrophy. Also nasal endoscopy will determine if a child has concurrent sino-nasal infections or allergic issues.
He will also tell you if your child should stop taking any medications in the week or two before surgery.
How is Adenoid Surgery done?
Adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the adenoid. It is performed in the operating room under general anaesthesia by an ENT Specialist. General anaesthesia is very safe and your child will be closely monitored throughout the procedure. Although the adenoid is located in the back of the nose, it is extracted through the mouth. It is removed by using Coblation, shaver or suction cautery. In most cases, the process takes about 15-30 minutes. Sutures are not required following adenoid removal, which causes no visible scars.
What to expect after the surgery?
Compared with tonsillectomy, the healing process is much easier for adenoidectomy patients.
Your child will regain consciousness in the recovery area. Most children can return home the same day as their procedure.
The typical recovery time following an adenoidectomy is a few days of mild pain and discomfort. Your child will be encouraged to drink and eat light foods when possible, and you will be required to drink before leaving. Their throat will most likely be sore for a day or two, and the pain can be relieved with medication, as our doctor recommends.
Aftercare
It is critical that you encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids after adenoid surgery. Keeping the throat moist reduces discomfort and prevents dehydration. There are no dietary restrictions following adenoidectomy. To put it another way, your child can eat whatever you normally feed him or her.
In most cases, your child will be able to resume normal activities within 1 or 2 days of the procedure. There is no need to stop normal activity once the child has recovered. For one week after surgery, vigorous exercise like swimming and running should be avoided.
Adenoid Surgery in Teens - How is it different?
Adenoidectomy in teenagers differs from the procedure performed in younger children primarily due to the developmental changes that occur as a child grows. In teenagers, the adenoid tissue may have naturally shrunk to a smaller size compared to when they were younger.
Additionally, teenagers’ overall anatomy, including the size of their throat and airway, is larger than that of children. These differences can affect the surgical approach and techniques used during the adenoidectomy. Surgeons may need to adapt their methods to accommodate the unique characteristics of a teenager’s anatomy, ensuring a safe and effective removal of the adenoids while minimising potential discomfort and complications specific to this age group.
Looking for an Adenoid Surgery specialist? Get in touch with our ENT expert, Dr. Mustafa Kapadia
Dr. Mustafa Kapadia is a highly skilled and experienced ENT specialist who specialises in adenoid surgeries. With his expertise, you can trust that your surgical experience will be smooth and successful. Don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with him if you are facing issues with your adenoids. His compassionate care and personalised approach will ensure the best possible outcome for you or your loved one’s health.
Contact us today to book an appointment and take the first step towards better health!
