I. What are adenoids?
Adenoids, also known as pharyngeal tonsils, are often located in the midline of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. If the adenoids are enlarged and cause symptoms, it is called adenoid hypertrophy, which is a pathological phenomenon. This disease is often seen in children, and often accompanied by tonsillitis.
Why do children’s adenoids often increase in size?
The adenoids are mainly composed of lymphoid tissue and participate in the immune function of the body together with the spleen and tonsils, so they often appear physiologically enlarged. Under normal physiological conditions, it develops to its maximum at the age of 6-7, and after the age of 10, it begins to slowly shrink as the body’s spleen and other immune organs become functional, and mostly disappears in adulthood.
When should surgery be considered for adenoid hypertrophy?
Generally, it is necessary to analyze and judge according to the patient’s medical history, lateral nasopharyngeal film and nasal speculum examination. Surgery is often considered when the following symptoms are present.
1. It affects the breathing, snoring and even apnea during sleep, which leads to long-term lack of oxygen and oxygen supply to the brain and affects the growth and development of children.
2. Causes blockage of the posterior nostril and long-term open-mouth breathing, which may lead to elongation of the maxilla, high arch of the palate, upturned upper lip and protruding upper incisors, which is often called “adenoid face”.
3.Blocking of the posterior nostril and poor drainage of nasal secretions can lead to chronic rhinosinusitis, which is not cured repeatedly after standard treatment.
4, to the eustachian tube mouth blockage caused by secretory otitis media, after standard treatment repeatedly does not heal.
4. How old can children with adenoid hypertrophy be operated?
At present, there is no specific rule on how old children can be operated. However, in the past, traditional surgery was often required after the age of four because of the fear of postoperative bleeding. Nowadays, due to the widespread use of nasal endoscopy, it can be operated under clear vision, and the adenoids can be removed by electric cutters, and radiofrequency, ablation and electrocoagulation can be used to accurately and effectively stop bleeding during surgery. Our experience is that surgery can generally be considered after the age of 3 years. However, if there is a serious impact on the child’s sleep quality or development, the surgery should be performed as soon as possible even if the child is a little younger.
V. Does the surgery require general anesthesia?
Most hospitals currently performing adenoid surgery choose general anesthesia. Reasons.
1, general anesthesia can make the child painless during the operation, and the doctor can operate more effectively and stop the bleeding.
2. General anesthesia can also avoid the trauma caused by local anesthesia surgery.
Does general anesthesia affect children’s intellectual development?
Most hospitals choose general anesthesia for children’s throat surgery, and there is no scientific data to prove that it has an effect on children’s intellectual development.
What do I need to pay attention to after surgery?
1. Diet: Give warm and cool fluids such as milk and juice 6 hours after surgery, and then gradually change to semi-liquid and soft food.
2.Temperature: low fever may appear within 3 days after surgery, usually less than 38.5 degrees, which is a normal reaction after surgery.
3.Postoperative bleeding: oropharyngeal surgery is easily affected by swallowing and coughing, generally there will be a little light blood discharge in the mouth without tension, try not to cough and sneeze hard after surgery.
What is the prognosis after surgery?
After adenoid surgery, due to wound edema and inflammatory reaction, snoring, nasal discharge and heavy nasal voice may still occur in the short term.