Adenoidectomy
Adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove lymphatic tissue behind the nose called
adenoids.
Like we have two tonsils in the mouth, there is another group of lymphatic tissue behind the nose
and protecting the airway called adenoids. These are a part of our immune system and help to stop the
infection from flaring up in our body. Generally enlarge around 2 to 3 years of age and grow upto puberty
often leading to obstruction of breathing passages, later the growth of skull overtakes the growth of these
tissues thus normalizing the airway space.
They get inflamed or enlarged during acute bouts of infections in the nose or throat, often leading
to mouth breathing, snoring, blocked ears leading to reduced performance at school. If the persistant
enlarged adenoids remains untreated, leads to elongated upper half of the face, high arched palate,
crowding of teeth, these features typically called adenoid face.
Surgical removal of adenoids is an option to consider after giving a trial of medical treatment for
about 8 weeks which include a local corticosteroid nasal spray and an anti-allergic.
