What are adenoids?
These are a layer of tissue found at the posterior end of the nasal passage. They serve to protect our bodies against infection.
Key points
- Your child’s swollen adenoids will be removed surgically.
- They will be unconscious and painless during the treatment.
- Most youngsters can return home on the same day as their procedure.
- Your youngster may take a few days to resume regular activity and eating habits.
What information should I need regarding adenoid surgery?
Adenoids protect our bodies against infection, but as our children get old, their bodies find other ways to fight against infections. Adenoid tissue can enlarge temporarily when capturing germs during an illness. The swelling occasionally reduces. Other times, adenoids might get infected. Your doctor might recommend removal if your child has:
- Chronic nasal obstruction causing breathing difficulty
- Sleep apnea
- Repeated middle ear infections
- Failure of conservative treatment
What should I know before surgery?
- It’s crucial to have a meeting with your child’s physician to talk over all of your worries and get your thoughts straight so you can confidently teach your child. Inform them that this operation is necessary for them and that it will enhance their quality of life.
- Let your child know that anesthesia is a medication to keep them comfortably sedated during the procedure, assuring them it won’t cause any pain. Reassure them they’ll only wake up after it’s all done.
- Your child must cease eating and drinking several hours before the surgery. The doctor or nurse will advise when your kid should stop eating and drinking. Talk about fasting recommendations and ceasing any medication your kid is presently taking with their doctor.
- Your child should refrain from taking aspirin or other medications containing aspirin for at least two weeks before surgery. In addition, your doctor may ask you to stop taking other medicines that may interfere with clotting.
- Pack items that bring comfort to your child, such as their favourite toys.
What can be expected on the day of surgery?
As a parent, you should arrive at the hospital on schedule. Upon arrival at the hospital or surgery centre, the patient and family may meet with the anesthesiologist and nursing staff to discuss the patient’s history. Doctors and staff will do some tests and administer medicines to determine if your kid is eligible for surgery. For example, if your child has a fever, they will not be operated on due to the danger of infection. After that, they will transport your child to the surgery room. You will wait until the procedure is completed.
• After surgery, your kid will be monitored in a recovery area before being transferred to the ward, where you can meet with them. He or she would progressively become completely aware in 3 to 4 hours after being transferred to
- Your physical presence close to your child on the day of surgery will comfort them that everything will be well.
- Confidently speak with your youngster to help them feel comfortable.
- To put your kid to sleep, the doctor will prescribe a general anesthetic, which is a medicine to keep them sedated.
- The doctor will remove the adenoids from your child’s mouth while they are asleep Your child won’t require stitches. The surgery will not last longer than 45 minutes. You will be allowed to visit your kids as soon as they are entirely awake.
- A staff member from the surgical waiting room will accompany you to see your child.
Your kid will be continuously observed in the nursing unit after surgery.
- Your youngster will be urged to consume fluids orally. Your youngster will begin with sips of clear fluids (transparent liquids), ice chips, or freezes. Once your child can take sips, they can start drinking liquids from a cup.
- Your child’s temperature will be monitored routinely.
- Your kid may get pain medication as required.
- The nursing team will monitor your child for vomiting or bleeding.
- Nurses will notify doctors if issues arise. When your kid is completely awake, they can stand up with assistance to use the restroom.
If your kid experiences discomfort following the procedure, they will be given pain medication as a liquid to drink.
- Your child should have relatively little discomfort following the procedure.
- Your kid might be allowed to return home on the same day.
- Most children are ready to leave the hospital after three hours in the nursing unit. Young people may need to stay for a lengthy amount of time.
- It would be best if you took your child home in a vehicle or taxi. Avoid taking your youngster home by bus or tube for their comfort and safety.
What care can I provide to my child at home?
- Pain
You may offer your youngster pain medication.
You may be given a prescription for pain medicine before leaving the hospital. Follow your chemist’s dosage directions. Although some prescription pain drugs might be effective, they may have potentially dangerous effects if not taken correctly.
- Nutrition
Your youngster must drink enough fluids following surgery. Allow your kids to drink as much fluids as they desire. When your child can drink liquids without vomiting, they can consume soft foods. Then, they can resume their usual eating habits.
Although soft meals might assist with a sore throat, drinking is more vital than eating. After a few days, the child is going to return to regular eating.
Keeping the kid home from school or nursery until they can eat and drink properly, no longer require pain medication, and sleep comfortably.
- Mouth Care
- Your youngster may rinse their mouth with water or brush their teeth lightly.
- Do not let your youngster gargle.
- Teach your youngster how to breathe deeply with their mouth open.
- A humidifier can help your youngster breathe more easily. This device adds moisture to the air with a cool mist. Place it near your child’s bed. Your child may have a nasal sound when speaking, which is typical and can last from a few weeks to three months, based on adenoids size.
- Activity
- Your youngster should restrict their activities for two or three days following the procedure. Please discuss with your doctor when it will be safe for your youngster to resume playing contact sports.
- Your youngster may take a shower or bath as usual.
- Your child should avoid crowds and persons with illnesses and colds.
- Five days following the procedure, your kid may return to school. It would help if you prevented your youngster from taking big vacations out of town for two weeks.
- Avoid airplane travel for at least two weeks after surgery due to air pressure changes when flying at high altitudes.
When to seek medical attention?
You should immediately contact your doctor in case of following situations
- fever of 38.5°C (101°F) or higher.
- Frequent vomiting.
- Pain that worsens.
- Refusing to drink
- Failure to urinate within 12 hours of surgery
- Fresh blood in the nose or mouth