Side view of a person's face and neck, showing the locations of the adenoids and the tongue.

An adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the adenoids. The adenoids are two small clumps of tissue that are located in the back of the nose, high in the throat. Sometimes, adenoids swell up. When they swell, they can:

Make breathing difficult.
Make congestion or a stuffed-up nose worse.
Increase the risk of ear infections.
Cause snoring and sleep problems.

Removing the adenoids can help reduce these risks and symptoms for your child. In this procedure, the adenoids are usually removed through the mouth.

Tell your child’s health care provider about:

Any allergies your child has.
All medicines your child is taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
Any problems your child or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
Any surgeries your child has had.
Any bleeding problems your child has.
Any medical conditions your child has.
Any loose teeth your child has.
Whether your child is pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

Infection.
Bleeding.
Allergic reactions to medicines.
Damage to nearby structures or organs.
Scarring.
Short-term changes in:
- Your child’s sense of taste.
- Your child’s voice.
Trouble swallowing.
Severe pain in the throat, ear, neck, or jaw.
Swelling.

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

A bottle of clear fruit juice and glass of water.

Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about hydration, which may include:

Up to 2 hours before the procedure – your child may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water or clear fruit juice.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

8 hours before the procedure – have your child stop eating foods.
6 hours before the procedure – have your child stop drinking formula or milk.
4 hours before the procedure – stop giving your child breast milk.
2 hours before the procedure – have your child stop drinking clear liquids.

Medicines

Ask your child’s health care provider about:

Changing or stopping your child’s regular medicines. This is especially important if your child is taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
Giving medicines such as ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your child’s blood. Do not give these medicines unless your child’s health care provider tells you to give them. Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye’s syndrome.
Giving over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.

General instructions

If your child uses a car seat, plan to have an adult sit with him or her in the back seat if you will be going home right after the procedure.
If your child will be going home right after the procedure, plan to be with your child for the time you are told.
Ask your child’s health care provider what steps will be taken to help prevent infection. These may include receiving antibiotic medicine.

What happens during the procedure?

An IV will be inserted into one of your child’s veins.
Your child will be given one or more of the following:
- A medicine to help your child relax (sedative).
- A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
- A medicine to make your child fall asleep (general anesthetic).
A device will be used to hold your child’s mouth open.
The surgeon will remove your child’s adenoids. The surgeon may use suction, scraping, or burning (cautery) to remove your child’s adenoids and to control the bleeding.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

Your child’s blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until he or she leaves the hospital or clinic.
Your child will be given medicine for pain.
Your child may be given an antibiotic.
If your child was given a sedative during the procedure, he or she can be affected for several hours. Do not let an older child drive or operate machinery until the health care provider says that it is safe.

Summary

An adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the adenoids.
An adenoidectomy may be done to reduce snoring and sleeping problems, make breathing easier, improve symptoms of nasal congestion, and decrease the risk of ear infections.
Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about eating and drinking and about giving your child medicines before the procedure.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

Medical knowledge, Patient Education

Adenoidectomy, Pediatric

Tell your child’s health care provider about:

What are the risks?