children s health issues
Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids in Children
Treatment of Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids
Treatment of other causes (allergies and infections) Sometimes, adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, or both If they think the cause is allergies, doctors may give a nasal corticosteroid spray or other drugs, such as antihistamines, by mouth. If the cause appears to be a bacterial infection, doctors may give antibiotics. If these drugs are not effective or if doctors think they will not be useful, doctors may recommend surgical removal of the adenoids (called adenoidectomy) and possibly removal of the tonsils (called tonsillectomy) during the same operation. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are very common operations for children in the United States. Children who benefit from these operations include those who have the following: Obstructive sleep apnea Extreme discomfort when talking and breathing Multiple throat infections (defined by some doctors as more than six infections in 1 year, more than four infections a year for 2 years, or more than two infections a year for 3 years) Doctors may recommend only adenoidectomy for children who have the following: Frequent ear infections and persistent collections of fluid in the middle ears Recurring nosebleeds or nasal blockages causing voice changes or disturbed sleep Frequent sinus infections Removing enlarged tonsils and adenoids is useful when enlargement causes extreme discomfort, breathing problems, or recurring infections. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy do not seem to decrease the frequency or severity of colds or cough. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are often done on an outpatient basis. These operations should be done at least 2 weeks after any infection has cleared. The surgical complication rate is low, but postoperative pain and difficulty swallowing caused by tonsillectomy may last up to 2 weeks. Children typically recover from adenoidectomy in 2 to 3 days. Bleeding resulting from tonsillectomy is a less common complication but may occur at 2 peak times, within 24 hours after surgery or at about 7 days after surgery. Bleeding after surgery may be serious or even life-threatening in children. Children who have bleeding after surgery should go to the hospital or doctor's office. 