Adenoids

Adenoids, the most common condition in childhood, are located in the space behind the nose called the Rosenmüller fossa. Especially in children aged 2-10, adenoids enlarge due to genetic predisposition, previous upper respiratory tract infections and allergic constitution, and block the space they occupy. After this enlargement, the child presents with complaints such as nasal obstruction, snoring at night, sleeping with the mouth open, nasal discharge that does not resolve despite continuous antibiotic treatment, and frequent episodes of rhinosinusitis.

What Symptoms Do Adenoids Cause?

The most common symptoms are nasal obstruction, sleeping with the mouth open at night, snoring, postnasal discharge, waking up tired in the morning, loss of appetite, frequent upper respiratory tract infections, dry cough, and upper respiratory tract infections that cannot be controlled despite continuous antibiotic use. In advanced cases, hearing loss in the ears and fluid accumulation in the middle ear may occur.

What Is the Age Limit for Adenoid Surgery?

There is no definitively set lower age limit for adenoid surgery. It is preferably performed after the age of 2, but it can also be performed under the age of 2 if the adenoids have reached an obstructive size.

How Long Does the Operation Take, Is Anesthesia Given?

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 10 minutes. Before the child is taken to the operating room, a sedative syrup is given and the child is taken to the operating room in this way. Afterwards, an anesthesia of approximately 15 minutes is administered and the operation is performed.

Are Stitches Used?

The operation is performed through the mouth with specially designed instruments, not through the nose, and no stitches or packing are used.

What Is the Recovery Period? How Long Is the Hospital Stay?

After the operation, the patient stays in the hospital for approximately 5 hours. In operations performed in the morning, the patient is discharged in the afternoon. Normal daily life is resumed 1 day after the operation.

What Should Post-Operative Nutrition Be Like?

Feeding starts 2 hours after the operation. Soft-textured foods are given. Purée, lukewarm soup, vegetable dishes, fruit purée, muhallebi (milk pudding) and ice cream are the preferred foods.