Removal of Childhood Adenoids

(Adenotomy)

Removal of Childhood Adenoids

The importance of polyp removal

The removal of adenoids is often performed in conjunction with the placement of drainage tubes in the eardrum, as the adenoids may be the cause of fluid buildup in the middle ear, which necessitates the insertion of tubes. The procedure can also be done independently in children who have difficulty breathing through their nose due to enlarged adenoids, which can lead to snoring, feeding problems (since the child cannot breathe through the nose while eating), and improper growth of facial bones. The surgery is only performed on children over two years old.

In many cases, when there are enlarged adenoids (called adenoid vegetation), there will also be enlarged tonsils, as both adenoids and tonsils are lymphatic tissue that grow simultaneously. Therefore, when removing the adenoids, it is important to also check the tonsils. It is crucial to be aware of whether the child also experiences pauses in breathing, as these are usually caused by the enlarged tonsils rather than the adenoids. The procedure is often performed in combination with tonsil reduction and is almost always done alongside the placement of drainage tubes in the eardrum.

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When to suspect childhood polyps
Children's polyps should be suspected if the child requires the placement of drainage tubes in the eardrum and is simultaneously congested in the nose and snores at night. These children typically present with a classic appearance of "open mouth and polyps," showing a tendency to breathe through the mouth and having a nasal speech sound (referred to as "11s" in the nose).
When should childhood polyps be treated?
When the polyps reach a sufficient size to cause discomfort and the child can no longer breathe with their mouth closed or requires repeated drainage tube placements, the child should be examined to determine if the children's polyps have reached a size that necessitates removal.
I would like to know more.
If you would like to know more about the removal of children's polyps or have your child examined, simply book an appointment for a preliminary consultation with your child.