How an adenoidectomy is carried out

The adenoids can be removed during an adenoidectomy. The operation is usually carried out by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon and takes around 30 minutes. Afterwards, your child will need to stay in the recovery wardfor up to an hour until the anaesthetic has worn off. Adenoidectomies are sometimes day cases if carried out in the morning, in which case your child may be able to go home on the same day. However, if the procedure is carried out in the afternoon, your child may need to stay in hospital overnight. Before the operation Tell your ENT surgeon if your child has had a cold or sore throat in the week before the operation. If your child hasa high temperature and cough , the operation may have to be postponed for a few weeks to ensure they've fully recovered and to reduce their risk of developing complications as a result of the surgery. The procedure An adenoidectomy is carried out under general anaesthetic , so your child will be unconscious during the procedure and won't feel any pain. Your child's mouth will be propped open and after the adenoids have been located, the surgeon will remove them by scraping them away with an instrument called a curette, or by applying heat using a diathermy instrument. A diathermy instrument produces high-frequency electrical currents that burn the adenoids. After the adenoids have been removed, the diathermy instrumentmay be used to stop the bleeding (cauterisation), or apack made out of gauze may be applied to the skin in the mouth.When this is removed, the operation is complete. Tonsils If your child has large tonsils, or has had severe or frequent bouts of tonsillitis ,removing the tonsils and adenoidsat the same time may be recommended. This procedure is called an adenotonsillectomy. Removing the adenoids and tonsils in a single procedure reduces the risk of complications. However, adenoidectomies, tonsillectomies and adenotonsillectomies are quick and straightforward procedures with few associated risks. They drain fluid away from the middle ear and help maintain air pressure.