Is adenoid removal safe for babies?

Removal of the adenoid (adenoidectomy) is a surgical procedure. It is performed by an ears, nose, and throat surgeon in the operating room under general anesthesia. In this day and age, general anesthesia is very safe and your child will be carefully monitored during the procedure.

What to expect after child has tonsils and adenoids removed?

It is normal for your child to have a very sore throat and ears after having tonsils and adenoids removed. Your child will need pain medication for up to two weeks and their pain may get worse before it gets better. The 4th or 5th day after the surgery is a common time for the pain to get temporarily worse.

What age can tonsils and adenoids be removed?

At what age can a child have a tonsillectomy? A child at any age can have a tonsillectomy if the indications are severe. However, surgeons generally wait until children are 3 years old to remove tonsils because the risk of dehydration and bleeding is greater among small children.

Should I remove my child’s tonsils and adenoids?

A health care provider might recommend removing the tonsils if a child gets a lot of tonsil infections (called tonsillitis). Experts define “a lot” as when a doctor diagnoses a child with at least 7 infections a year, more than 5 infections a year for 2 years in a row, or three infections a year for 3 years.

How long is a tonsil and adenoid surgery?

The surgery takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, but the recovery from anesthesia can take a few hours. Your child might be prescribed medications after the surgery. Your child might need a blood test before the surgery to see if he or she has any increased risk for bleeding.

Why do babies get their adenoids removed?

An adenoidectomy may be done if your child has trouble with breathing through the nose or for problems with frequent ear infections or sinus infections, among other reasons. Often, the adenoids shrink as children reach their teens.

Should I have my child’s tonsils and adenoids removed?

Both could also become a source of ongoing infection. Because tonsils and adenoids may shrink over time, the troubles are temporary for some children. For others, surgery may be required to remove them. It isn’t recommended for every child, however.

What is the disadvantage of removing tonsils?

Tonsillectomy, like other surgeries, has certain risks: Reactions to anesthetics. Medication to make you sleep during surgery often causes minor, short-term problems, such as headache, nausea, vomiting or muscle soreness. Serious, long-term problems are rare, though general anesthesia is not without the risk of death.

How long do you stay in the hospital after a tonsillectomy?

After my tonsillectomy, when can I go home? You can leave hospital on the same day as the operation, once you are able to eat and drink. However, you will need to stay for six hours after your procedure so you can be observed for bleeding.

Do adenoids affect speech?

Improved Vocal Quality. When the nasal passages are blocked by increased adenoids, it is like talking with a stuffed nose. Pitch, tone and articulation can all be negatively impacted by swollen adenoids. No amount of speech therapy will correct speech problems caused by enlarged adenoids.

How to tell if my child needs his tonsils removed?

What are the signs tonsils need to be removed? Your child has recurring infections especially tonsillitis, strep throat or ear infections about 5-6 times a year. Your child has infections that impact attending school. Your child has a difficult time eating or swallowing possibly with abscesses in the back of the throat. Your child can’t sleep through the night and has increased bedwetting.

When do children need their tonsils removed?

The child has a severe sore throat seven times in one year,or five in each of two years,or three in each of three years.

The child has a throat infection severe enough to cause an abscess,or an area of pus and swelling,behind the tonsils.

The child has a case of tonsillitis not helped by antibiotics.

Should your child have tonsils removed?

If your child is having difficulties in breathing or has developed glue ear, it is probably better to have his or her tonsils and adenoids removed. However, if your child’s problems are due to his or her tonsils and adenoids becoming infected, they often don’t need to have them removed.

What are the side effects of having your adenoids removed?

Children who tend to have swelling of both the tonsils and adenoids may be good candidates for a tonsilloadenoidectomy. Side effects of an adenoidectomy can include fever, nausea, and vomiting. Surgeons perform around 130,000 adenoid removals each year in the United States.