Adenoids are a single cluster of tissue at the back of the nose (nasopharynx). In an adult, they are located on the back wall of the throat (pharynx) around one inch above the uvula.
Tonsils are two clusters of tissues on either side of the throat. They are embedded in pockets at the side of the palate. The lower edges of either tonsil are located beside the tongue, deep at the back of the throat.
Why are the adenoids removed?
Some reasons a patient may need to have their adenoids removed (adenoidectomy) are:-
- Enlarged adenoids: This is one of the most common reasons for an adenoidectomy. Enlarged adenoids tend to cause ‘mouth breathing’, snoring and even block breathing during sleep (sleep apnoea). The extent of the enlargement is dependent on the severity of infection in the ears or the amount of chronic fluid accumulated in the tissue. It is commonly seen in preschool children but can also present in children several years old.
- Chronic or recurrent ear infections: Adenoids could be chronically infected or enlarged, causing recurrent infections or chronic fluid accumulation behind the eardrum.
Adenoids are glands located at the roof of the mouth behind the nose. These small clumps of tissue are a part of the body’s immune system. They are one of the first lines of defence, protecting the body against viruses and bacteria. Adenoids tend to begin shrinking around the age of 5 and are almost completely gone by the teenage years.
What is an adenoidectomy?
The surgery to remove adenoid glands is called an adenoidectomy.
Adenoids help protect the body against bacteria and viruses, however, at times they get swollen and enlarged or chronically infected. This could be due to allergies, infections or other reasons. At times, children may also be born with large adenoids.
When adenoids become enlarged, they tend to cause problems by blocking the airway. This causes the patient to have breathing problems, ear infections and other complications. This leads to snoring, mouth breathing or more serious conditions like sleep apnoea (stopping breathing while sleeping) at night. Congestion, long term nasal drainage, and sinus infections are also common symptoms. Enlarged adenoids can also cause chronic and recurring ear infections and fluid accumulation in the ear which can lead to temporary hearing loss.
Usually, enlarged adenoids are detected clinically by the patient’s complaints and symptoms. However, the doctor confirms the diagnosis with a CT Nasopharynx or a Nasopharyngeal Scanogram. They are simple radiological diagnostic tests that show the degree of enlargement of the adenoids.
How is an adenoidectomy performed?
It is a relatively short, straightforward procedure that is performed while the patient is induced under general anaesthesia. The child’s mouth is widely opened with the help of a mouth gag. Then, with the help of a small mirror, the adenoid glands are ‘shaved’ or curetted from the back of the nose. On average, the entire procedure takes around 15 mins to complete.
Post-operative care
The child will be taken back to the room once he/ she wakes up from the anaesthesia. Most children return home on the same day as their surgery. Following surgery, the child may have a sore throat, bad breath, earaches or a stuffy nose, however, these side effects resolve within ten days to two weeks. After adenoidectomy, the child usually has a full recovery to a healthier life with fewer ear and breathing problems.