An adenoidectomy is a surgery to remove the adenoids or the patch of tissue in the back of the throat behind the nose. The surgery is common among children, is relatively safe and typically leads to great outcomes.
If your child has an adenoidectomy coming up, you may be wondering what to expect and how to prepare.
About Adenoidectomies
Adenoidectomies are necessary when adenoids become enlarged. The surgery is often accompanied by the removal of the tonsils as well. The adenoids are part of the immune system and can become enlarged by the germs they collect, impacting breathing ability and fluid drainage from the ears. Enlarged adenoids don’t always cause side effects, but when they do, their removal becomes necessary. The surgery itself will take between 20 and 30 minutes, and the child will be under anesthesia.
Preparation For the Surgery
Prior to the surgery, your doctor may give you preparation instructions dependent on the patient’s age and medical history.
These instructions could include:
- Stop using any blood thinning medications a week prior to the surgery. This could include aspirin or Motrin®.
- On the day of the surgery, only take medications prescribed by the surgeon.
- You will likely be asked to stop eating or drinking anything, including water, by midnight of the day before your surgery.
Surgery Recovery
After the short surgery, your child will be taken to a recovery room to wake up from anesthesia. They could be able to go home as soon as two to three hours after the surgery with no complications. Your doctor will provide you with post-operative care instructions that may include:
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Motrin or Tylenol® from Hub City Pharmacy for sore throat.
- Hydrating with water, milk or fruit juices without citrus.
- Eating frozen foods such as popsicles for pain relief.
- Eating soft foods that won’t irritate the throat, like mashed potatoes, Jell-O and scrambled eggs.
- Using a humidifier to prevent dry air that could dry out the throat and sinuses.
Following the surgery, your child may experience nausea, vomiting and nosebleeds. Additionally, for the next week, they may experience throat, ear and neck pain, nose drainage, snoring, a swollen tongue, a low-grade fever or scabs forming in the throat. If your child experiences infection, excessive bleeding, dehydration or a fever exceeding 101 degrees, you should call your doctor. The doctor will also provide you with an extensive list of side effects to watch out for.
Your child undergoing surgery can be a stressful situation, but having knowledge about the procedure and a doctor you trust can help you feel more prepared. To learn more about ear, nose and throat procedures, contact Spartanburg | Greer ENT & Allergy to schedule an appointment.
