When Should My Child Have An Adenoidectomy?
After battling relentless ear infections, stuffy noses and other problems
, your pediatric ENT has suggested your child should have an adenoidectomy. At first, this surgery can sound worrisome. It may be difficult to understand why the suggestion was made, and what adenoid surgery entails. This article answers the most common questions surrounding adenoid surgery, adenoiditis and what to expect after the surgery.1.What is an Adenoid? The Adenoid is a lump of lymph node tissue that help the body fight infections. The Adenoids is a part of a group of lymph nodes that include the tonsils.
2.What is an Adenoidectomy? Adenoidectomy is the surgical removal of enlarged or chronically infected adenoids.
3.When is an Adenoidectomy Considered? This will not be the first suggestion your pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist makes for treatment. Adenoid removal is only considered after a history of problems, including chronic adenoid infections despite antibiotic treatment; adenoid hypotrophy (enlarged adenoids) that causes breathing through the mouth, nasal blockage, snoring and restless sleep; or ear infections.
4.Why Adenoid Surgery for Ear Infections? The Adenoid can contribute to ear infections in two ways. It can cause physical blockage of the tube that lets us pop our ears, and, if the adenoid is infected, it can cause the ears to get infected.
5.What Does Adenoid Surgery Entail? Before a pediatric adenoidectomy, doctors will first ensure your child is not at risk for hypernasal speech, or speech that sounds as if the child is talking through his or her nose. If not, adenoid removal can proceed. It is an outpatient surgery that lasts approximately 20 minutes and requires the patient to be under general anesthesia. Often pediatric ear, nose and throat surgeons will use a curette to remove the adenoid tissue. Sometimes a combination of curette and cautery, or suction and cautery, is used. Afterward, the patient can experience a minimal amount of bleeding. Usually your child will simply be congested.
6.What Should I Expect after My Childs Adenoid Surgery? Patients usually have a small amount of throat discomfort following the procedure. If your child complains of a sore throat, ibuprofen should be enough to ease the pain. Between five and seven days following the surgery, it is common for patients to experience neck pain or earaches. Ibuprofen products can reduce this discomfort. Your child may also experience a low grade fever between 99 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Bad breath is also common for the first three weeks after surgery. Usually saline nasal spray, chewing gum and hard candy can help reduce this problem. Encourage your child to rest for the first few days following the surgery. Vigorous activity should be avoided for the first three to four days. Slight bleeding through the nose is possible if a child becomes active too soon. Your child will be able to have a clear liquid diet immediately after surgery. Patients can move back to their normal diet as soon as they feel comfortable eating.
7.When Should I Contact My Pediatric ENT? Usually, a follow up visit is not necessary, but there are instances when the pediatric ear, nose and throat doctor should be contacted following the procedure. If your child experiences a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit that does not respond to ibuprofen and acetaminophen, severe nose bleeds, or severe neck pain that does not respond to treatment within 48 to 72 hours, you should contact your surgeon.
8.If the Adenoid is a lymph node, is it safe to remove? This is a common question asked by many parents. Although the adenoid is part of the lymphatic system that helps process infections, it can become overwhelmed with infection. At that point, it has stopped being helpful and is the source of the problem (similar to chronic tonsillitis).
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