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Adenoid removal

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Adenoids
Adenoids
Adenoid removal - series
Adenoid removal - series

Alternative Names    Return to top

Adenoidectomy; Removal of adenoid glands

Definition    Return to top

Adenoid removal is surgery to take out the adenoid glands. These glands are located between the airway you breathe into through your nose and the back of your throat. Often, adenoid removal is done at the same time as a tonsillectomy, surgery to remove the tonsils. Adenoid removal is also called adenoidectomy.

Most adenoidectomies are done on children.

Description    Return to top

Your child will be given general anesthesia before surgery. This means they will be unconscious and unable to feel pain.

Your child will stay in the recovery room after surgery until they are awake and can breathe easily, cough, and swallow. Most patients can go home several hours after this surgery.

Why the Procedure is Performed    Return to top

Adenoidectomy may be recommended when:

Adenoidectomy may be recommended if your child has chronic or repeated bouts of tonsillitis.

The adenoids normally shrink as children reach adolescence. Adults rarely need adenoidectomy.

Risks    Return to top

Risks for any anesthesia are:

Risks for any surgery are:

Before the Procedure    Return to top

A week before the surgery, do not give your child any medicine that makes it hard for their blood to clot unless their doctor tells you to. Two of these are ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and aspirin.

Ask your the doctor what medicines your child should take on the day of surgery.

The day before the surgery, your child should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight. This includes water.

The day of the surgery, give your child the medicine they are supposed to take with a sip of water.

After the Procedure    Return to top

Your child will go home on the same day as surgery. Complete recovery takes about 1 to 2 weeks.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Most children breathe through their nose better and have fewer and milder sore throats and ear infections after an adenoidectomy.

In rare cases, adenoid tissue that has been removed may grow back. This does not usually cause problems.

References    Return to top

Wetmore RF. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 380.

Update Date: 1/26/2009

Updated by: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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