Adenoidectomy

Under adenoidectomy is defined as the surgical removal of the adenoids, ie the enlarged pharyngeal tonsil ( adenoids ).

Indication for surgery

Enlarged adenoids typically occur in childhood, the adenoidectomy is therefore almost exclusively performed in children.

Adenoids lead, inter alia, on a transfer of the Eustachian tube ( auditory tube ) to a ventilation disorder of the middle ear. This can lead to hearing loss due to a middle ear effusion to frequent ear infections and subsequently to delayed language acquisition of children affected.

Furthermore, the nasal breathing may be severely hindered, which results in snoring children and causes a higher incidence of infection. The pharyngeal tonsil, in contrast to the tonsils regrow and therefore occasionally needs to be removed again.

Disadvantages of adenoidectomy on the immune system are not known. Therefore, one operates the pharyngeal tonsil in contrast to the tonsils even in young children, most operations are necessary between 2 and 6 years of age.

Performing the operation

The surgical procedure was introduced by Hans Wilhelm Meyer.

The surgery is usually in the outpatient general anesthesia with a breathing tube ( endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask airway ). The child lies on his back, the head is a little lower. After inserting a Mundsperrers a small tube is run from the nose and on the mouth again, so that the soft palate is gathered something. Now you can with a warmed mirror view the pharyngeal tonsil and they will wear away with a special instrument, the so-called Beckmann ring knife. It is usually sufficient for hemostasis, a few minutes to press a gauze pad on the site of removal. The small hose and mouth gags are removed, and the anesthesiologist manages the anesthesia from. The operation time is usually ten to twenty minutes.

As often - as described above - there is fluid in the middle ear, a drum section ( paracentesis ) and a tympanostomy tube insert ( tympanic drainage) are often performed during the same anesthesia. In some cases, the tonsils are removed.

Risks

The operation is one of the least risky operations in the ENT area. Possible (rare ) general risks of surgery are bleeding, bleeding or inflammation, specific surgical risks are tooth damage caused by intubation or mouth spreader and damage to the Eustachian tube, with potentially permanent ventilation disorders of the middle ear. It may happen that temporarily escapes after surgery while drinking liquid above the nose. The reason is that the children because of the enlarged adenoids her soft palate to seal the nose while drinking process did not have to pull back and this must now learn.

Demarcation

Colloquially, we often speak of the removal of " polyps " or " growths ". The pharyngeal tonsil has nothing to do with real nasal polyps.

  • Therapeutic procedures in the ear, nose and throat medicine
  • Operative treatment procedures
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