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Adenoid removal

Get surgery to remove your adenoids.

A doctor is examining a young boy's throat

What is adenoid removal?

Adenoid removal (adenoidectomy) is a surgical procedure to remove your adenoids. The adenoid glands are small lumps of tissue at the back of your throat behind your nose. In children, the adenoids form part of the immune system and help fight infection and protect your child from any viruses or bacteria they breathe in. They have no function in adults and usually shrink and disappear by the time you reach adulthood. Adenoid removal is usually performed on children. Adenoid removal surgery may also be carried out on adults, but this is uncommon.

This page explains what adenoid removal is, why your child may need adenoid removal surgery and what to expect during the surgery and recovery.

How much does adenoid removal cost?

The cost of adenoid removal depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant’s outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

Why might my child need adenoid removal surgery? 

Your consultant may recommend adenoid removal if your child’s adenoids are enlarged and causing problems. Your child’s adenoids may become enlarged if they are exposed to a lot of infections or have frequent colds.

Enlarged adenoids may cause pain or partially block your child’s airway causing problems such as:

  • Difficulty breathing through the nose
  • Snoring
  • Noisy breathing during sleep
  • Mouth breathing
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Irritability during the day due to lack of sleep
  • Sleep apnoea — where breathing periodically stops and starts during sleep
  • Frequent sinus or ear infections
  • Sore throat
  • Blocked or runny nose
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Dry lips or bad breath due to mouth breathing
  • Glue ear — a build-up of fluid in the middle ear that may cause temporary hearing loss

If your child’s adenoids are enlarged and affecting their quality of life, adenoid removal surgery can offer many benefits including:

  • Relief from symptoms such as a blocked or runny nose
  • Improved sleep
  • A lower risk of developing glue ear

If you are undecided about surgery, your consultant may prescribe steroid nasal sprays to relieve symptoms such as a blocked nose and reduce the size of your child’s adenoids. This is a temporary treatment as steroid nasal sprays cannot be used for a long time and the long-term effects are unknown. The other alternative is to wait for your child’s adenoids to shrink by themselves as they get older.

What to expect at your initial consultation

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, a doctor specialising in conditions affecting the ear, nose or throat.

Your consultant will ask you about your child’s symptoms, general health and medical history. They will examine your child’s adenoids either with an X-ray, or a small camera inserted through your child’s nose, to determine whether surgery is necessary.

Why is this first consultation so important?

At Circle Health Group, your first appointment is very important as it’s where you meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your child’s care. Your consultant will take time to get to know you and your child, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. It is important to us that you are as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your child’s treatment, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.

At the end of your appointment, your consultant will decide if adenoid removal is a suitable procedure for your child based on their symptoms, general health and physical examination. They will explain the procedure to you, including how to prepare for the surgery, what happens during adenoid removal and what to expect during your child’s recovery.

How to prepare for adenoid removal surgery

Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare your child for adenoid removal surgery. If there’s anything you’re not sure about, or if you have any questions about how to prepare for your child’s procedure, speak to your consultant or call the hospital for advice. Being well-prepared before your child’s surgery will help to ease any anxiety you may have as well as allow your child’s surgery and recovery to go more smoothly.

Before your surgery, tell your consultant about any medical conditions or allergies your child has, and any medication, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements your child is taking.

Your consultant may tell you to avoid giving your child certain medications that can thin the blood, such as aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for a week before the operation. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding during and after your child’s surgery.

Let the hospital know if your child shows signs of a respiratory infection such as a cold or flu before their surgery. Your consultant may decide to postpone their adenoid removal surgery until they are better.

Your child will need to have an empty stomach for their surgery and must not eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of their operation.

What happens during adenoid removal surgery?

Adenoid removal is performed under general anaesthesia, meaning your child will be asleep during the procedure and won’t feel any pain. It is normally done as a day case and does not require your child to stay overnight in hospital. Adenoid removal normally takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

During adenoid removal, a special instrument is used to hold your child’s mouth open. The surgeon then removes the adenoids through the mouth either by cutting the adenoid tissue with a scalpel or using tools that apply heat or radio frequency energy. Your consultant may use heat (cauterisation), gauze packing or apply dissolvable stitches to stop any bleeding.

In some cases, your child may have their tonsils removed (tonsillectomy) at the same time as their adenoids in an operation called an adenotonsillectomy. Adenoid removal may also be performed at the same time as grommet surgery to treat glue ear.

Adenoid removal in adults

Adenoid removal in adults is uncommon and around 90% of adenoidectomies are performed on children under the age of 15. Your consultant may occasionally recommend adenoid removal if you are an adult with bothersome symptoms such as frequent middle ear infections, difficulty breathing through your nose, or poor-quality sleep due to enlarged adenoids. Your consultant may also perform adenoid removal if they suspect cancer or a tumour on your adenoids.

After adenoid removal surgery, your child will be taken to the recovery room where they will be monitored carefully until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. They will be given medication to help reduce any pain and swelling. Once your child is fully awake, they will be allowed to go home. 

How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?

Adenoid removal is normally performed as a day case, meaning your child will be able to go home on the same day. In some cases, your child may need to spend one night in hospital. 

How soon can my child go back to school?

After adenoid removal, your child will need to take two weeks off school. This is to avoid catching an infection that could lead to bleeding. 

When will my child be back to normal?

Full recovery from adenoid removal surgery usually takes one to two weeks. It's normal for your child to have a stuffy nose, a low-grade fever, thick discharge from their nose and bad breath for seven to ten days after adenoid removal.

Caring for your child after adenoid removal

While caring for your child at home after their adenoid removal surgery:

  • Give over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage any pain (always read the information leaflet that comes with the medication)
  • Encourage your child to rest as much as possible
  • Avoid strenuous activity for the first week after surgery
  • Avoid air travel for at least two weeks after adenoid removal surgery
  • Avoid contact with other people where possible to reduce the risk of infection
  • Make sure they drink plenty of fluids
  • Avoid spicy, hot, hard or crunchy foods for the first couple of weeks after adenoid removal. Cooler, soft foods such as ice cream, jelly, yoghurt, apple sauce, and soft meats and vegetables may be easier to eat.

Adenoid removal is a routine and generally safe procedure, but as with any type of surgery, there is a small risk that complications may occur. Your consultant will explain any possible risks and complications before your child’s surgery and answer any questions you may have.

We want you to be as well-informed as possible about any potential risks and complications before your child’s surgery as this will allow you to make an informed decision.

Possible complications of any surgical procedure include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Adverse reactions to the anaesthetic

Possible complications of adenoid removal surgery include:

  • Excessive bleeding which may require further surgery to stop it
  • Swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing
  • Changes to the voice (this is usually temporary)
  • Chipped or broken teeth, especially if your child has loose or capped teeth (please let the hospital know if this is the case)
  • The surgery may not resolve your child’s breathing problems or recurrent infections
  • Rarely, the adenoids can grow back

Call the hospital immediately if your child:

  • Is bleeding from their nose or mouth
  • Has a high fever (over 38.4C)
  • Has discharge from their nose for more than two weeks
  • Shows signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth, peeing less than usual, sunken eyes, and few or no tears when crying
 

Why choose Circle Health Group for adenoid removal?

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

  • Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
  • The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
  • Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
  • Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
  • Private ensuite rooms as standard
  • A range of delicious healthy meals
  • Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
  • Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about adenoid removal, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 5499.

  1. Adenoidectomy NHS
  2. Adenoid removal Medline Plus 
  3. Adenoids and Adenoidectomy KidsHealth
  4. Adenoid surgery ENTUK
Content reviewed by In-house Team in June 2025. Next review due June 2028.

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