Surgical removal of an enlarged adenoid is called adenoidectomy.
No matter how simple it looks, every surgery is usually worrying for children and parents. By explaining her or him what to expect, you can help your child be prepared for surgery.
In adenoidectomy:
- Your child will be under general anesthesia. This means that the surgery will be performed in an operating room and your child will be monitored by an anesthesiologist during surgery.
- Your child will sleep for about 20 minutes
- The surgeon will remove the enlarged adenoid through the mouth. There is no need to make a skin incision.
- Your child will wake in the operating room. In case of an respiraton problem or bleeding, it may be necessary to return to the operating room. Usually the total length of stay in the hospital is between 5-10 hours.
What happens after surgery?
- Nutrition:
- On the day of surgery your child should take liquid and soft foods (i.e. water, milk, non-citrus fruit juices, pudding, yoghurt, ice cream, potatoe puree, etc).
- The day after surgery, soft vegetable dishes, pasta, rice may be consumed, in addition the the above.
- After the third day, return to normal daily nutrition is possible, avoiding sharp edged food such as ruffles, biscuits, etc.
- Taking a bath: Your child can take a bath the next day after the operation, provided it is not too hot or too long
- Back to school: Do not send your child to school until your doctor permits. The duration can be between 3 to 7 days.
- Sports: Sports activities should be restricted for a week.
Recovery
Some children have a noticeable relief in breathing during their sleep, on the day they have surgery. In some children, recovery may not be so early because of secretions that naturally accumulate in the nose; your child may continue to wheeze, snore, and mouth breathing for a couple of weeks. Some children may continue to breath through the mouth habitually; you must remind them to breath through the nose whenever you realize it.
