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Health care information for sinusitis sufferers |
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Health care information for sinusitis sufferers |
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Treatment OptionsSurgical Treatment OptionsAdenoidectomy | Endoscopic Sinus Surgery | Ethmoidectomy |Extended Endscopic Frontal Sinus Surgery | Frontal Sinusotomy | FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery) | Maxillary Sinusotomy | Open Frontal Sinus Surgery | Polypectomy | Reduction Removal of Inferior Turbinate | Reduction Removal of Middle Turbinate | Septoplasty | Sphenoidotomy | Tumor Removal Adenoidectomy The adenoids are normal lymphoid tissues that lie in the back of the nose in the nasopharynx. They are located near the entrance to the breathing passages, where they "sample" incoming bacteria and viruses, and can become infected. Scientists believe they work as part of the body's immune system by filtering germs that attempt to invade the body and helping in the development of germ antibodies. Because this happens primarily during the first few years of life and becomes less important as we get older, children who must have their tonsils and adenoids removed suffer no loss in their resistance. The most common problems affecting the adenoids are recurrent infections (in the throat or ear) and significant enlargement or obstruction that causes breathing and swallowing difficulties. In adults, enlarged adenoids may be a sign of allergies, although the possibility of a tumor must be considered and may be a reason to remove the adenoids. Enlargement of the adenoids is common in children because of their developing immune systems. Sometimes, enlarged adenoids can cause a child's nose and the drainage system of the ears (Eustachian tubes) to become obstructed and/or chronically infected. To ease the situation, your child's pediatrician may recommend an adenoidectomy. This procedure removes enlarged lymphoid tissue from the nasopharynx to restore nasal breathing and removes obstruction from the Eustachian tube area, thereby reducing the likelihood of ear infections. Recent studies indicate an adenoidectomy may be beneficial for some children who experience chronic earaches accompanied by fluid in the middle ear (otitis media with effusion). Usually, an adenoidectomy is performed under general anesthesia using a strong light and a mirror inserted into the back of the mouth. The adenoids may be removed with a curette or microdebrider or burned out with suction cautery. The primary complications include the usual risks of anesthesia, as well as bleeding after surgery. Another complication that sometimes occurs is voice change. The adenoids lie above the soft palate, a structure that helps close the nose during speech. After adenoids are removed, the palate may be temporarily impaired. This can cause the voice to change (hypernasality), and very occasionally, this voice change lasts for a long time. Enlarged Adenoids and Their Symptoms If the adenoids are enlarged, breathing through the nose may be difficult. Other signs of constant adenoid enlargement are:
There are several postoperative symptoms that may occur following an adenoidectomy. These include but are not limited to:
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