An adenoidectomy, or adenoid removal, is surgery to remove your child’s adenoid glands. Adenoids are small lumps of tissue located behind your nose in your upper airway. Adenoids are considered a vestigial organ in adults (a remnant with no purpose).
Adenoid glands are part of your child’s immune system. They fight germs you breathe in, like viruses and bacteria. Adenoids usually shrink and disappear by the time most children turn 13.
While adenoids help protect your child’s body from viruses and bacteria, they sometimes become swollen and enlarged. This swelling (inflammation) can be caused by infections, allergies or other reasons. Some children may also be born with abnormally large adenoids.
Swollen adenoids may need to be surgically removed if they’re partially blocking your child’s airway.
An adenoidectomy is mostly for children between 1 and 7 years old. Children’s adenoids naturally begin shrinking around age 7 and are almost completely gone by the teens.
An adenoidectomy treats enlarged adenoids that can cause problems by partially blocking your child’s airway. A narrowed airway can cause a range of issues that require treatment, including:
Trouble breathing: Your child may have trouble breathing during the day and when they’re trying to sleep. In more severe cases, swollen adenoids can cause sleep apnea, which makes you stop breathing at night.
Trouble sleeping: Your child may snore and have trouble sleeping. They may be irritable during the day because they’re not getting enough rest at night.
Ear infections: Your child may get frequent ear infections and chronic fluid in the ear, which can cause temporary hearing loss.
Sinus infections: Your child may experience chronic (long-term) nasal drainage, congestion and frequent sinus infections.
An adenoidectomy is a straightforward, relatively short procedure performed by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. Most children go home the same day of their surgery.
Your child will be placed under general anesthesia, which means they’ll be asleep the whole time. They won’t feel any pain
The surgeon will open your child’s mouth once they’re asleep and remove their adenoids. They’ll perform the surgery through your child’s mouth, which means they won’t have to make visible incisions (cuts) on your child’s skin
The surgeon may apply a heated wire to the incision site inside your child’s mouth to stop the bleeding. This technique is called electrocauterization surgery.
The surgeon may also remove your child’s tonsils (tonsillectomy) at the same time if they’re also swollen and causing symptoms. These surgeries are commonly performed together.
An adenoidectomy is a safe surgery that can relieve your child’s symptoms. Although adenoids are part of your child’s immune system, adenoid removal won’t make their immune system weaker. Immune systems are highly adaptable. Your child doesn’t need adenoids to fight germs. They’ll actually be healthier without having enlarged adenoids.
Your child should recover within a week or two following surgery. In the meantime, they may experience symptoms, such as:
Vomiting or upset stomach (within the first 24 hours)
Fever (for the first day or two following surgery)
Bad breath (for a few weeks)
Trouble swallowing
Noisy breathing
Sore throat
On average, most people reach full recovery in about two weeks. Overall recovery time depends on several factors, including the type of tonsillectomy you had, your body’s healing capacity and whether you experienced any complications.
Drinking plenty of fluids is key to a successful tonsillectomy recovery. In addition, you’ll probably want to eat soft, cool foods for the first week. You can introduce solid foods once your comfort level allows, but you should avoid hard and spicy foods, as they can irritate the surgical area.
Food and drink recommendations during tonsillectomy recovery include:
Water, tea and juice
Ice cream
Smoothies
Yogurt
Pudding
Applesauce
Broth
Mashed potatoes
Scrambled eggs.
Sore throat
Neck pain
Earache.
Your child may need pain medicine for a few days during recovery. Your provider can prescribe pain medications in liquid form that will be easier for your child to swallow.