Adenoid and Tonsil Problems

The adenoids and tonsils are our first-line organs of defense against infections. As part of the immune system, they play a role in fighting bacteria and viruses, so they enlarge during an infection and return to normal size when the infection is gone. They normally grow until the age of 7-8 and then shrink on their own as the child grows. However, in some children, they may become very large and not shrink. In this case, they can cause various problems in addition to their contributions to the body.

When should an adenoidectomy be performed?

Adenoid hypertrophy is one of the most common causes of nasal obstruction in children. It can also cause snoring, sleep apnea, dental, jaw, and facial developmental disorders, a persistently runny nose, and sinusitis. The most common method used to assess the size of adenoids is endoscopic examination, in which the adenoids are visualized directly by entering through the child’s nostrils. If it is found that the adenoids completely block the back of the nose, adenoid removal surgery (adenoidectomy) should be performed. If the patient has complaints of snoring or nasal obstruction but the adenoids are not very large, the size of the turbinates, the size of the tonsils, or sinusitis should be evaluated.

In cases of adenoid inflammation leading to chronic sinusitis, medical treatment should be applied first. If the runny nose persists despite this, surgery should be considered.

Not every child who snores has enlarged adenoids, although snoring can be caused by enlarged adenoids. The structure of the jaw and mouth, the structure of the nose, and the size of the tonsils are all factors that affect snoring. All of these factors should be considered when deciding on a treatment for snoring. It is common for adenoids to be enlarged along with tonsils. In this case, tonsillectomy (tonsillectomy) should be performed in the same session as adenoidectomy.

When should a tonsillectomy be performed?

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are necessary when the upper respiratory tract is blocked due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids, causing snoring and sleep apnea. Tonsillectomy (tonsillectomy) is also necessary in cases of abscess (peritonsillar abscess) around the tonsils, suspected malignancy, adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy that disrupts the jaw structure.

Tonsillectomy is also recommended if a child has had a fever and tonsillitis seven times in the last year, five times a year in the last two years, or three times a year in the last three years.