Parents often feel worried and have many questions when they hear that their child needs adenoid surgery. This blog provides a complete guide to adenoids, why they become enlarged, what happens during the procedure, what conditions an adenoidectomy treats, and how to prepare your child for adenoid surgery.
What Are Adenoids?
Adenoids are a small mass of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the nasal passage. Similar to tonsils, they play a role in the immune system by catching harmful bacteria and viruses that enter through the nose or mouth. Adenoids are especially important in babies and young children, helping to protect against infections. However, as children grow, their immune system develops other defenses, making adenoids less essential.
What Are Enlarged Adenoids?
Adenoids help catch germs that enter the body and may temporarily swell as they fight an infection. Allergies can also cause them to become enlarged.
In some cases, the swelling goes away on its own. However, if adenoids frequently become infected, a doctor may suggest their removal.
Who Needs an Adenoidectomy?
Children between the ages of one and seven are often advised to have an adenoidectomy. Adenoids naturally start to decrease around the age of seven and normally disappear almost totally during the teenage years.
Signs and Symptoms of Enlarged Adenoids
Children with enlarged adenoids may experience:
- Trouble breathing through the nose
- Mouth breathing, which can lead to dryness of the lips and mouth
- Wheezing-like noise during breathing
- Chronic bad breath
- Snoring at night
- Small pauses in breathing at night (obstructive sleep apnea), which can cause interrupted sleeping. It may lead to learning problems, behavior, growth, heart, and bedwetting issues at times.
- Frequent or long-lasting nasal or sinus infections
- Recurring ear infections, fluid buildup in the middle ear, and possible hearing difficulties
What is an adenoidectomy?
An adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the adenoids in children. It may be necessary if the adenoids become enlarged or swollen due to infections or allergies. The surgery can help improve breathing and reduce the occurrence of ear and sinus infections caused by enlarged adenoids.
What Conditions Does an Adenoidectomy Treat?
An adenoidectomy relieves symptoms brought about by enlarged adenoids, such as:
- Breathing difficulties: Enlarged adenoids may make it difficult for your child to breathe both during the day and at night. In serious cases, they can cause sleep apnea, which results in nighttime pauses in breathing.
- Sleep issues: Your child might snore, have trouble sleeping, and be cranky in the afternoon because they are not getting quality sleep.
- Frequent ear infections: Swollen adenoids may cause repeated ear infections and middle ear fluid accumulation, which can result in temporary hearing loss.
- Chronic sinus infections: Nasal stuffiness, drainage, and sinus infections that recur can be caused by enlarged adenoids, which can affect your child’s comfort and well-being.
How to Prepare for Your Child’s Adenoidectomy
To have a smooth process, adhere to your doctor’s advice on medications your child should take or not take prior to surgery. Your doctor will also provide instructions on fasting since your child’s stomach should be empty prior to surgery.
Also, watch for any symptoms of a cold, flu, or respiratory infection. If your child gets sick prior to the procedure, the surgery will have to be postponed.
What Happens During an Adenoidectomy?
Your child will be under general anesthesia so that they sleep throughout the procedure and do not feel any pain.
After your child is put to sleep, the surgeon will access it through the mouth and remove the adenoids. Because the procedure is performed entirely through the mouth, there are no cuts or incisions that can be seen on the skin.
What Happens After an Adenoidectomy?
Your child will recover from surgery in the recovery area after it has been completed. The vast majority of children get to return home the same day, though others might remain for an overnight observation.
Recovery typically takes a couple of days of slight discomfort, a sore throat, stuffy nose, noisy breathing, or bad breath. But after a week, most symptoms will have improved, and the problems due to swollen adenoids should be gone. Because there are no stitches involved in the surgery, the area heals on its own.
Are There Any Risks Associated with Adenoidectomy?
Most children recover well from an adenoidectomy without any major complications. However, like any surgical procedure, there are some risks, including infection, bleeding, and reactions to anesthesia. It is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with your child’s doctor before the surgery.
How to Help Your Child Recover Comfortably?
- Give pain relief medication as prescribed by the doctor.
- Ensure your child stays hydrated. While most children can resume normal eating and drinking within a few hours, starting with soft foods like pudding, soup, or mashed potatoes may be helpful.
- Encourage rest and limit physical activity for a few days. Follow the medical team’s advice on when your child can return to school or daycare.
- If your child experiences nasal congestion, using a cool-mist humidifier can provide relief. Be sure to clean it daily to prevent mold buildup.
When Should You Contact the Doctor?
Reach out to your child’s doctor if they:
- Develop a fever
- Vomit after the first day or after taking medicine
- Have persistent neck pain or stiffness that doesn’t improve with pain relief medicine
- Struggle to move or turn their neck
- Refuse to drink fluids
- Have not urinated for at least once every 8 hours
Conclusion
An adenoidectomy is a routine surgery that can help relieve your child’s ear infections, sinus infections, as well as breathing and sleeping difficulties. If your child requires this procedure, consult your healthcare provider on how to best prepare them. Discuss the recovery process so you and your child know what to expect. Getting your questions answered in advance can help ease any concerns and make both you and your child feel more confident about the surgery.
