The adenoid glands play an important role as part of a child’s immune system. When something goes awry with a child’s adenoids, the solution to such issues is usually a surgical procedure called “Adenoidectomy (Adenoid Removal).” Such a procedure would be prescribed by doctors that specialize in treating the ear, nose and throat.
The following discussion is going to focus on the role of adenoids and an in-depth analysis of the surgical procedure to remove them.
The adenoid glands, not to be confused with tonsils, are located above the roof of the mouth and behind the nasal passages. Visually, these small glands look like small fleshy lumps of tissue.
During a child’s early physical development (birth until seven years old), the adenoid glands play an important role in protecting the child against viruses and bacteria. The glands do this by trapping and expelling the virus or bacteria molecules as they try to pass through the air ways into the lungs.
Between the ages of five and seven, the adenoid glands should begin to shrink to the point of no longer being necessary or effective. By the time a child reaches their teenage years, the gland should have completely disappeared. Unfortunately, the adenoid glands can become the subject of health issues for as long as they exist.
When adenoid glands become swollen due to infections and or allergies, they can adversely affect a child’s overall health. Take a look at this shortlist of symptoms associated with swollen adenoids:
The issues on this list are not minor issues to a child. They can lead a child into a lifetime of battling illnesses. The doctor may recommend adenoid removal. While the adenoidectomy procedure certainly comes with some minor risks, the removal of the glands is of little consequence to the child patient. Studies have shown that the procedure does little to harm the child’s immune system. The decision to perform surgery is simply directed towards helping provide the sinus relief in Los Angeles the child needs for a happier and healthier life.
When a child is struggling with airway problems, it is incumbent on the parent to get the child to a specialist. If the child shows any combination of the aforementioned symptoms, the doctor might suspect there is a problem with the child’s adenoid glands.
To confirm such a diagnosis, the doctor will want to review the child’s medical history. If the child’s medical history indicates the symptoms are chronic by nature, the doctor will want to look at the glands. They can do this with an x-ray or with a small optical camera that passes through the child’s nasal passages. If the adenoid glands are indeed enlarged, the best way to give the child sinus pressure relief through the surgical procedure.
The good news about this procedure is it is a relatively minor procedure. In most cases, a specialist can perform the procedure on an outpatient basis. While the procedure is minor, parents need to know their child will be placed under general anesthesia.
The actual Adenoidectomy procedure is very simple. The surgeon will have the child’s mouth held open with a metal or plastic retractor. During the procedure, the doctor will have several Adenoidectomy surgical techniques at their disposal. None of these techniques should result in bleeding or scarring.
The entire procedure should take no more than 20 or 30 minutes from beginning to end. When the procedure is done, the child will go into a surgical recovery environment while they recover from the anesthesia. Assuming everything goes off without a hitch, the parents should be able to take the child home within hours of the procedure. In some cases, the doctor may request the child to stay overnight for observation. This is just a precautionary measure.
Within the next few days following surgery, the child should be back to 100%. The irritated adenoid area should heal on its own, and the child should have the sinus relief they need. Any other symptoms should start diminishing in the days and weeks to come.
If your child is showing any of the symptoms from the list above, you as a parent have an obligation to get them medical attention as soon as possible. As one of the top doctors, we would be happy to have you come in with your child for a consultation.
If the results of our examination indicate your child has swollen adenoid glands, we would discuss the possibility of ur performing the aforementioned surgical procedure. We would be happy to perform the procedure, leaving your child feeling better within days. For more information about our services and fees, please feel free to contact one of our staff members at your earliest convenience. Contact our ENT doctor in Los Angeles today!