Surgical removal of the adenoid tissue located in the nasopharynx. Most often performed in children with nasal obstruction, snoring, and recurrent middle-ear infections.
Indication
- Persistent nasal obstruction and mouth breathing due to adenoid hypertrophy
- Snoring and suspected obstructive sleep apnea (breathing pauses during sleep)
- Recurrent middle-ear infection (otitis media) and middle-ear effusion
- Hearing loss related to Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Recurrent sinusitis and post-nasal drip episodes
- Speech disturbance (hyponasal speech) and mouth breathing affecting facial development
- Chronic adenoiditis unresponsive to medical therapy
Preparation
- No solid food or liquids for 6-8 hours before the procedure (anesthesia safety)
- Inform the surgeon of any active upper-respiratory infection so the operation can be postponed if needed
- Share blood-thinner use, allergy history, and prior anesthesia experiences with the physician
- Pre-operative blood tests and an ECG when indicated
- For pediatric patients, explain the surgery briefly and reassuringly; bringing a favorite toy can help
How it's performed
- The patient is placed under general anesthesia and the airway is secured
- The mouth is gently opened and a small instrument retracts the soft palate forward
- Adenoid tissue is removed with a curette or electrocautery (electric-assisted excision)
- Bleeding is controlled with cautery or pressure as needed
- Visual inspection through the nose and mouth confirms no residual tissue remains
- The surgery typically lasts 20-40 minutes; ear-tube placement or tonsillectomy may be added in the same session if indicated
Post-procedure
- Same-day or one-night-stay discharge depending on clinical status
- Cold and soft foods plus plenty of fluids for the first 24 hours
- Regular use of pain relievers and antibiotics if prescribed; avoid aspirin-type medications
- Restrict strenuous physical activity, swimming pools, and air travel for 1-2 weeks
- ENT follow-up on day 10-14 to assess snoring, nasal breathing, and hearing changes
Risks
- Bleeding (usually mild; rarely requires additional intervention)
- Anesthesia reactions and airway complications
- Temporary sore throat, bad breath, and post-nasal drip
- Very rare temporary hyponasal speech due to soft-palate insufficiency
- Possible regrowth of adenoid tissue (especially when performed at a very young age)
FAQ
How many days will my child miss school after adenoid surgery?
About 5-7 days of rest are typically advised. Once pain subsides, the child eats normally, and the physician approves, return to school is appropriate.
Can the adenoid tissue grow back?
When performed at a very young age or if some tissue remains, regrowth is occasionally seen. If symptoms return, an ENT specialist should re-evaluate.
Should the tonsils also be removed during the operation?
If there are tonsil-related complaints (recurrent tonsillitis, sleep apnea), the surgeon may suggest performing a tonsillectomy in the same session; both procedures can be safely combined.
When does the hearing problem improve?
Hearing complaints linked to middle-ear effusion and Eustachian tube function usually improve significantly within weeks; ventilation tubes may be added when needed.
Related Information
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Tonsillectomy (tonsil surgery) — surgical removal of the tonsils.
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Sleep apnea evaluation and treatment
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Sleep apnea evaluation and treatment — assessment of snoring and breathing pauses during sleep from an ENT perspective.
Laryngoscopy
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Ventilation Tube
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Mastoidectomy
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Mastoidectomy — surgical clearance of the mastoid bone for chronic middle ear inflammation and cholesteatoma.