Key points about adenoidectomy
- an adenoidectomy is a surgery to reduce the size of the adenoids, to make more space at the back of the nose
- your child may need an adenoidectomy if they have significant snoring, a constantly blocked nose or sometimes because of ear problems
- sometimes tamariki have their tonsils taken out at the same time as their adenoids
What are adenoids and what do they do?
Adenoids are made of lymph tissue, which helps fight infections. Adenoids sit where the back of the nose meets the throat. You can only see how big they are by using a special camera passed through the nose or by seeing the shadow of them on an xray.
Adenoids are usually at their biggest in tamariki aged 3 to 6 years old. The adenoids usually shrink in size as tamariki get older, but in some tamariki they can stay enlarged for a longer time. By late teens, adenoids have usually shrunk away completely.
Removing the adenoids
Although adenoids are part of the infection-fighting (immune) system, they are not essential, and their removal will not cause harm to the immune system. Other parts of the immune system in the upper throat continue to function.
Removing the adenoids and tonsils
Sometimes, tamariki will have their tonsils removed at the same time as their adenoids. This is called an adenotonsillectomy.
Sometimes, tamariki will only have their tonsils taken out - this is called a tonsillectomy.
Reasons for needing an adenoidectomy
Your doctor will consider several factors when talking with you about whether surgery is needed. It may be helpful for your child to have their adenoids removed if they have any of the following.
Snoring caused by enlarged adenoids
It's not normal for tamariki to snore. Snoring can have long-term effects on sleep quality, behaviour and learning. Snoring, restlessness during sleep or pauses in breathing (apnoeas) are reasons to consider surgery. Tamariki with enlarged adenoids may also seem to have a constantly blocked nose and tend to always breathe with their mouth open.
Snoring Or Noisy Breathing In Children
Ear problems caused by enlarged adenoids
Sometimes tamariki who are having problems with lots of ear infections or “glue ear” (fluid behind their eardrum that doesn’t clear away on its own) may benefit from adenoidectomy. This helps clear the space at the back of the nose where the middle ears drain to. Adenoidectomy is sometimes suggested to be done at the same time as grommet insertion.
Effectiveness of adenoidectomy
For sleep-disordered breathing
Removing the adenoids from the back of the throat opens the airway and creates more room. After surgery, your child will be able to breathe more normally at night and should sleep better.
Studies show that an adenotonsillectomy will cure or improve symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in 80% to 97% of people. The surgery is more successful if there are no other conditions that may be contributing to sleep-disordered breathing (such as obesity). On rare occasions, the adenoids may grow back again. This is much less common with the modern techniques that doctors use to do this surgery.
Who will do the adenoidectomy?
Your family doctor or nurse may refer your child to a specialist ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. After talking to you and examining your child, they may recommend removing your child's adenoids and maybe their tonsils.
