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.
