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What Is an Adenoidectomy?

Adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure by which the adenoids are removed. The adenoids (also called nasopharyngeal tonsils or pharyngeal tonsils) are situated at the rear of the nose and just above the uvula, where the nasal passage meets the mouth. Adenoids do not serve a purpose in adults, although they help build the immune system in children up to 6 years of age. Adenoids need to removed if they become enlarged or infected, causing breathing problems and earaches.

  1. Significance

    • Adenoids generally shrink as a person gets older, but may cause problems in children. During a throat infection, the adenoids become inflamed and enlarged. This can cause the child difficulty in breathing, especially during sleep. Enlarged adenoids can constrict the eustachian tube, which can result in ear infections. Adenoidectomy becomes necessary in children who suffer from chronic inflammation of the adenoids and it can help with sleep related problems like snoring and sleep apnea.

    Preparation

    • An adenoidectomy typically doesn't require patients to be admitted, except for an overnight stay in some cases. The patient is tested to see if he has a reaction to the anaesthetic or not. The patient is not supposed to eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the procedure. Like all surgical procedures, the patient or guardian is required to sign a consent form.

    Procedure

    • It is a minor surgical procedure that takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the severity of the infection. The patient is given a general anesthetic. The procedure does not require any external incision on the nose. The adenoids are removed by reaching the back of the throat through the mouth. Gauze is placed on the area to prevent bleeding, and is removed once the bleeding ceases.

    Recovery

    • After the procedure, the patient is kept under observation until the anesthesia has completely worn off. The patient is generally released within a day. Since the procedure leaves a lesion in the throat, it is very painful for the patient to swallow anything---even saliva. He may need to take painkillers and antibiotics for about a week. The patient should drink lots of fluids. Since swallowing is painful, the diet should consist of liquid foods. Ice cream should be avoided because it can delay the healing process. The patient should typically recover completely within a week of the procedure.

    Complications

    • As with all surgical procedures, there is a chance of complications. A patient might have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia or experience excessive bleeding during surgery. There is also a chance of infection in the area operated upon, which is why antibiotics should be used.

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