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Adenoids and tonsils are primary lymphoid organs in children responsible for immunity through antigen presentation. In common words, these organs/tissues are present in all children from birth and are part of a generation of adequate immune response through the childhood years. Though tonsils are present in the oropharynx or throat and can be seen or assessed through simple throat examination, adenoids are present in the nasopharynx or deep behind the nasal cavity (nose), and are hidden from ordinary examination and visualization. These lymphoid organs commonly get hypertrophied/enlarged from 2 to 6 years of age as a response to various upper respiratory infections and allergies.
Acute infection and enlargement of these organs (Acute tonsillitis/acute adenoiditis) are characterized by acute onset pain in the throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, or postnasal drip. Such infections or illnesses are managed by short-term antibiotic courses with symptomatic drugs for allergy control, pain/fever control, and observation. Chronic tonsillitis/adenoiditis, however, is an infection or inflammation of these organs lasting by definition, more than 12 weeks, though commonly months and years altogether. Chronic inflammation leads to long-standing hypertrophy/enlargement of these organs or recurrent/persistent inflammation thus causing a myriad of clinical issues:
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Recurrent /persistent nasal obstruction (adenoid hypertrophy) is more pronounced in children in a lying down position or while sleeping, thus causing mouth breathing in sleep or while being awake as well in severe cases. Such long-standing nasal obstruction or mouth breathing in children can lead to issues such as nighttime bed-wetting, obesity, raised blood pressure, facial mix growth and reduced exercise performance.
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Persistent/ frequently recurrent nasal discharge, postnasal drip causing frequent throat clearing, chronic or long-standing sinusitis (inflammation of nose and sinuses) thus causing headaches.
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Frequent or long-standing ear infections (Otitis media with or without effusion) leading to frequent earaches in children. Consequent middle ear effusion often leads to hearing loss in children which often goes undetected in early stages being confused by caregivers as a distraction or lack of attentiveness.
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Chronic inflammation of the tonsils leads to restricted space in the pharynx, thus causing snoring, disturbed sleep, and difficulty in swallowing due to the sheer size of enlarged tonsils restricting the movement of food through the pharynx/throat.
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The presence of long-standing infections in adenoids and tonsils leads to a year-long reservoir of bacterial infections due to biofilms leading to frequent nasal, sinus, throat and ear infections. Such infections often need multiple antibiotic courses and possible hospital admissions in the presence of refractory infections or complications.
Read: Understanding Tonsillitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment
Role of Surgery, Adenoidectomy and Tonsillectomy: Common Facts, Myths and Reasoning
Surgical removal of adenoids is termed as adenoidectomy whereas removal of tonsils is termed as tonsillectomy. Adenoidectomy is performed when adenoid enlargement causes persistent/long-standing nocturnal or daytime nasal obstruction and mouth breathing. It can be associated with children with persistent nasal discharge with or without symptoms of recurrent or chronic sinusitis. Tonsillectomy is performed for recurrent tonsillitis or severe enlargement of tonsillitis causing disordered sleep or swallowing.
Common Questions and Myths
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Are adenoids and tonsils always removed together surgically?
No. Adenoids are removed for indications of nasal or ear pathologies whereas tonsils are removed for throat issues. While they can be removed together in one setting in case of indications pertaining to both nose and throat, it isn’t necessary to do so if indications for one do not exist. Adenoidectomy is performed more commonly in children than tonsillectomy in present times.
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At what age can surgery be done in case of kids?
Adenoidectomy/tonsillectomy can be performed in children from 2 years onwards in case of symptoms and clinical judgment. Mild to moderate recurrent symptoms can be observed in medical management till the child is 6-7 years of age as most adenoids or tonsils are expected to regress by this age. Post this age, it often is an indefinite wait. Looking for the best ent specialist in Delhi then book an appointment with Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, now.
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How is this surgery done and is it safe for little children?
Adenoidectomy is done endoscopically through the nose and oral cavity (mouth), with no external incisions or scars on the face or neck. Tonsillectomy is done through the oral cavity. Both the procedures are done through powered instrumentation/lasers or plasma ablation techniques leading to minimal blood loss or complications. Though all surgeries have potential complications including those of general anaesthesia, adenotonsillectomy is one of the most common surgeries performed in children worldwide, with an extremely low rate of complications, most of which can be managed by the operating team and institution. Consult with the best ent specialist in Dwarka.
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What are the common or salient complications of tonsillectomy?
Common side effects of tonsillectomy are post-operative throat pain necessitating dietary modifications, lasting from the 2nd post-operative day to the 12th. Delayed oral or nasal bleeding due to secondary infections can occur occasionally from the 5th to the 8th postoperative day and can be managed conservatively by in-patient observation and antibiotics.
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Are there any long-term effects of the removal of adenoids/tonsils on immunity?
As adenoids and tonsils are primary lymphoid organs, surgical removal of these at a very early age can have potential adverse effects on immunity and is a matter of research and debate. However, the presence of recurrent upper respiratory infections and issues of long-term nasal obstruction, disordered sleep and ear infections in growing children in the era of widespread and concerning antibiotic resistance needs to be discussed with paediatricians and ENT surgeons.
Manipal Hospitals Dwarka, the best ent hospital in Delhi is an apex referral institution in the surgical management of pediatric airway disorders with one of the most advanced operating theatres, instrumentation and technical staff. The exceptional pediatric team including pediatric and neonatal intensive care complement the surgical management of airway disorders in obtaining optimal outcomes in this fragile population.
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