Adenoidectomy

Adenoids, Enlarged Adenoids and Adenoidectomy

Adenoids are two small pads of tissue at the back of the nose that keep you healthy by preventing harmful germs from passing through the nose or mouth. Your adenoids also produce antibodies to help your body fight infections. Swelling of the adenoids leads to ear infection especially in children.
Causes and Symptoms Enlarged Adenoids
Adenoids are part of the lymphatic system which clears away infection and keeps body fluids in balance. They are present at birth and help to produce antibodies to fight infections in children. They start to shrink when the child is about 7 years old. Allergies and infections may cause enlarged adenoids. Some children have enlarged adenoids from birth.

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  • Infections cause the adenoids to become enlarged, but they subside once the infection goes away.
  • Chronic throat and respiratory infections that cause inflammation and infection.
  • Allergies that aggravate the adenoids.
  • Enlarged adenoids are a common occurrence among children, enlarged adenoids in adults are rarer.
  • In some cases, the adenoids remain enlarged even after the infection is gone.
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Adenoids, Enlarged Adenoids and Adenoidectomy
Adenoids, Enlarged Adenoids and Adenoidectomy

Some of the symptoms for enlarged adenoids include:

  • A stuffy nose, ear problems and trouble breathing through the nose.
  • Trouble sleeping, adenoids snoring or sleep apnoea.
  • Sore throat and difficulty in swallowing, dry mouth and cracked lips.
  • Swollen glands in the neck.
  • The ENT doctor will first conduct a examination to check the size of your child's adenoids. This is done with the help of an endoscope and may further tests such an X-ray and blood tests to check for infection.
  • If required your child may need to undergo a sleep study to rule out sleep apnoea.

Procedure for Enlarged adenoids (Adenoidectomy)

  • An adenoidectomy surgery is recommended for removal of the adenoids in the following circumstances:
  • The bacterial infection is resistant to antibiotics.
  • Repeated infection in the adenoids.
  • Enlarged adenoids are blocking the airways, making it difficult to breathe.
  • An untreated adenoids infection may cause ear infections and fluid build-up in the middle ear.
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