What is Adenoidectomy Surgery?
An adenoidectomy or adenoid removal is a surgical procedure to gently remove the adenoid glands (small lymphatic glands) located at the back of the nasal passage in children. Although they play a role in your child's immune system, adenoids can become enlarged or inflamed, leading to problems like blocked breathing, recurring ear infections, or sleep disturbances such as snoring or sleep apnea.
In some children and occasionally in adults, adenoids can become enlarged or chronically infected. This leads to various health problems. This can happen due to frequent throat or ear infections, allergies, or repeated colds. When the adenoids remain swollen for a long time, they can block airflow through the nose, cause breathing difficulties, affect speech, and even lead to sleep problems like snoring or sleep apnea.
Types of Adenoidectomy
Conventional (Blind Curettage)
This traditional method uses a spoon-shaped tool (known as a curette) inserted through the mouth to remove the adenoid tissue manually with general anesthesia. It's taking about 20 to 30 minutes. It has a long history of safety and effectiveness in relieving symptoms like nasal blockage and frequent ear infections.
Electrocautery
In this technique, an instrument heats up to cut away the adenoid tissue and simultaneously stop bleeding. As a result, it reduces bleeding during surgery and helps with a smoother post-operative recovery.
Coblation (Radiofrequency-Assisted Removal)
Coblation uses gentle radiofrequency energy within a saline environment to dissolve the tissue at lower temperatures. Unlike traditional heat-based methods, coblation minimises thermal damage and often leads to less pain and faster healing.
Powered Microdebrider (Video-Assisted Technique)
This method involves a small, rotating blade that carves out adenoid tissue under live video guidance. It's more precise, reduces the risk of trauma to nearby areas, and allows better visualisation during surgery.
20-30 minutes
Surgery Duration
General anesthesia
Anesthesia Used
Most patients go home the same day
Hospital Stay
7-10 days
Full Recovery Timeline
Adenoidectomy Indications
Removal of the adenoids is most commonly performed in children, especially when the adenoids become enlarged and start affecting their daily life and health.
Doctors may suggest adenoidectomy alone or in combination with tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils), especially if both are causing problems. The goal of the surgery is to improve breathing, reduce the risk of infections, and enhance overall quality of life.
Enlarged Adenoids (Adenoid Hypertrophy)
When the adenoids become enlarged due to recurrent infections or other factors, they can obstruct the nasal passage and interfere with normal breathing.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
For kids with obstructive sleep apnea due to big adenoids, removing the adenoids might be considered as a treatment choice. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition during sleep where breathing stops and starts repeatedly because the airway gets blocked.
Persistent Sleep and Breathing Issues
Enlarged adenoids can block the airway and lead to problems like:
- Loud snoring, mouth breathing, or noticeable pauses in breathing during sleep (sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea).
- If these issues persist for 3 months or more, especially despite medical treatment, adenoidectomy may be advised.
Frequent Ear, Nose, and Throat Infections
Ongoing infections can signal the need for surgery, such as:
- Multiple episodes of pus-like nasal discharge (recurrent purulent rhinorrhea), usually four or more in 12 months, with at least one confirmed by a clinician.
- Chronic ear fluid (otitis media with effusion) lasting over 3 months, or recurrent ear infections despite treatment.
Chronic Sinusitis
Enlarged adenoids can contribute to chronic sinus infections or sinusitis by blocking the nasal passages and preventing proper drainage of the sinuses.
How to Prepare for Adenoidectomy Surgery?
An adenoidectomy is usually recommended when medications and other treatments no longer work, and the enlarged or infected adenoids continue to cause health issues.
- Stop certain medications: At least two weeks before the surgery, avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, as they may increase the risk of bleeding. Instead, use acetaminophen (Tylenol) if mild pain relief is needed.
- Follow fasting instructions carefully: Do not eat or drink after midnight before the surgery, this includes water. If your provider prescribes medication, administer it with only a sip of water.
- Pre-surgery screening: Your doctor may recommend simple blood tests to check clotting ability and overall health, to reduce any surgical risks.
- Help your child feel calm: Consider requesting a hospital tour or explain in simple terms that the procedure will help them breathe better.
- Ensure your child doesn't have any colds or other illnesses let your doctor know if symptoms appear beforehand.
- Give your child a bath before coming in. Don't apply lotions or deodorant on the day of surgery.
- Bring any medications your child is on, labelled with dosages.
- It's important to make arrangements with a family member or friend to drive you to and from the hospital or surgical centre.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on the day of the surgery. Avoid wearing jewellery, makeup, and contact lenses. Leave valuables and personal items at home.
Adenoidectomy Procedure (Step-by-Step)
During an adenoidectomy surgery, the surgeon will carefully remove the adenoid tissue from the back of the nasal cavity. The entire procedure takes 20-30 minutes.
- Anaesthesia: Your child goes to the OR and is gently put to sleep (often with a mask first). You won't see or feel the surgery.
- Positioning: Once you are asleep, you will be positioned on the surgical table. The surgeon and the medical team will make sure that you are comfortable and properly positioned for the procedure.
- Accessing the Adenoids: The surgeon will use a specialised instrument called a mouth gag to gently hold your mouth open, providing access to the back of the throat.
- The operation: The surgeon works through the mouth, with no external cuts or stitches. The adenoids are removed using instruments such as a curette, suction diathermy/cautery, coblation, or a microdebrider.
- Hemostasis (Control of Bleeding): After the adenoids are removed, the surgeon will take steps to control any bleeding. This may involve using specialised instruments or techniques to ensure that bleeding is minimised and controlled.
- Recovery Room: Your child will wake up under close monitoring. Once drinking and comfortable, you can go home the same day in most cases.
Who will do the Adenoidectomy Procedure?
An adenoidectomy is typically performed by a qualified medical professional, usually an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist.
Recovery after Adenoidectomy surgery
Recovery after an adenoidectomy surgery involves a period of healing and adjustment as your body recovers from the procedure.
Day 0-1
- Encourage frequent fluids, offer soft foods (curd, dal-rice, khichdi, soups).
- Give prescribed pain relief regularly for the first 24-48 hours.
- Quiet play at home, avoid rough activity.
Days 2-5
- Most children feel much better, and normal eating returns quickly.
- Return to school in 2-3 days if well (your surgeon will advise if combined with other procedures).
- Expect stuffy nose/nasal voice to improve over days to weeks as swelling settles.
Days 6-14
- Resume regular activities as tolerated.
- Keep up hydration; use saline nose sprays if advised.
When to call us urgently (any time):
- Bright-red bleeding from the nose/mouth or repeated vomiting of blood.
- Breathing difficulty, severe pain not helped by medicines, signs of dehydration (very sleepy, few wet nappies/urine), or persistent fever.
Adenoidectomy Benefits
- Improved Breathing & Less Snoring: Removing the swollen adenoids can clear nasal pathways and reduce noisy breathing or snoring.
- Fewer Ear & Throat Infections: Many children experience significantly reduced ear and sinus infections post-surgery.
- Better Sleep & Daily Comfort: Improved airflow and less congestion often lead to better sleep quality and overall energy during the day.
Adenoidectomy Complications
- Bleeding: This can happen during or shortly after surgery; sometimes it may require additional medical attention.
- Infection and Pain: As with any surgical procedure, there's a small risk of infection or temporary post-operative discomfort.
- Reaction to Anesthesia: Rare, but possible. Always discussed with your anesthesiologist before surgery.
- Incomplete Symptom Relief or Regrowth: Infrequently, symptoms may persist if underlying causes remain. Adenoid tissue may also regrow, sometimes requiring further evaluation.
Adenoidectomy Surgery Cost
At Medicover Hospitals, we understand that knowing the cost of Adenoidectomy surgery to remove the adenoids is essential for planning treatment without anxiety. The average cost of this procedure ranges between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 60,000.
The exact cost can differ depending on:
- Surgery type
- City or hospital category (metro vs. smaller city)
- Tests & diagnostics
- Technique used (traditional vs. advanced)
- Surgeon's experience and specialisation
- Need for additional procedures like tonsillectomy or ear tube insertion
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