Coblation adenoidectomy side effects
Side effects of a coblation adenoidectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the adenoids, may consist of:
Pain: Discomfort in the throat, neck, or ears that may persist for one to two weeks
Swelling: Inflammation at the back of the throat or in the neck
Difficulty swallowing: Discomfort or trouble swallowing due to swelling
Bad breath: Foul breath that can remain for several weeks
Earache: Discomfort in the ear that may arise post-surgery
Fever: A mild fever for the initial day or two following surgery
Vomiting: Nausea or an upset stomach within the first 24 hours post-surgery
Blocked nose: Nasal congestion that typically resolves within a week
Voice changes: A modification in your voice that may make it sound like you’re speaking through your nose
Taste changes: A variation in your sense of taste that generally improves over time
Bleeding: Excessive bleeding at the site of removal
Infection: A postoperative infection
These side effects are generally mild and temporary, and can be addressed with pain relief medication, an ice collar, and a soft diet.
Side Effects and Risks
Excessive bleeding after surgery (very uncommon)
Inability of the surgery to alleviate your child’s breathing challenges, ear infections, and/or nasal drainage issue.
Irreversible alterations to your child’s voice quality.
Infection after the surgery.
Risks related to the administration of anesthesia.
Breathing difficulties resulting from ongoing nasal blockage, sleep apnea, ear pain, and throat infections—are these ailments affecting your child? If all conservative treatments have been tried but remain ineffective, consult your ENT physician regarding adenoidectomy surgery and its suitability for your child.
Adenoidectomy has been demonstrated to offer most pediatric patients the following advantages:
Simplified breathing for the long term;
Notable enhancements in sleep apnea symptoms, such as snoring;
Lowered chances of developing sinus, middle ear, or throat infections; and
An enhanced overall quality of life.
Here is additional information regarding adenoidectomy surgery, particularly its side effects, risks, and contraindications that you should discuss with your ENT doctor.
Side Effects and Risks
The side effects of this type of ENT procedure—which encompass sore throat, bad breath, and nasal congestion—usually diminish after only a few days and can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, an ice collar on the neck (to minimize swelling), and a soft diet.
Similar to any other kind of surgical procedure, adenoidectomy comes with risks, although they are uncommon. These include the following:
Excessive postoperative bleeding (very rare)
Inability of the surgery to alleviate your child’s breathing difficulties, ear infections, and/or nasal drainage issues
Permanent alterations to your child’s vocal quality
Postoperative infection
Complications related to the use of anesthesia
Contraindications
Although adenoidectomy has no absolute contraindications, your ENT doctor may not endorse the procedure if your child has a cleft palate, bleeding disorder, or an active infection.
If your child has a submucous cleft palate (a congenital defect of the palate), undergoing adenoidectomy surgery can increase your child’s risk of developing persistent hypernasal speech (when there is excessive air escaping through your child’s nose while talking) and nasal regurgitation (when fluid or food travels up into your child’s nose).
Adenoidectomy Surgery in Georgetown, TX
At Georgetown ENT, Dr. Scott William Franklin, our double-certified ENT specialist, provides outstanding care for patients of all ages, particularly our pediatric patients. He enjoys offering parents valuable information about adenoidectomy or any other form of pediatric ENT procedure, assisting them in making informed decisions regarding their children’s health care.
Disease and Condition:
Adenoid removal surgery is also known as an adenoidectomy, and it is frequently conducted in children. The adenoids are glands situated in the upper part of the mouth, behind where the nose meets the throat. These adenoids create antibodies, or white blood cells, which assist in combating infections. They typically reduce in size after puberty and may vanish entirely by adulthood. Surgeons commonly carry out the removal of both adenoids and tonsils (tonsillectomy) at the same time. This procedure is referred to as an adenotonsillectomy. Persistent and recurring throat and respiratory infections often result in inflammation and infection in both glands. The inflammation of the adenoids is termed adenoiditis.
Adenoidectomy is a procedure that is frequently performed and carries a low complication risk. It can be safely performed in children over the age of 3. Most side effects and surgical complications usually resolve independently or with treatment. Some potential side effects and risks associated with adenoidectomy include:
Bleeding at the site of removal
Difficulty and pain during swallowing
Nasal blockage post-surgery due to inflammation and swelling
Throat pain
Ear pain
Post-operative infection that leads to fever
Nausea and vomiting
Halitosis
Voice changes
Reactions to anesthesia
Why are the adenoids removed?
Frequent throat and respiratory tract infections during childhood frequently lead to enlargement of the adenoids. These enlarged adenoids can obstruct breathing in a child, particularly at night. They can also impede the opening of the Eustachian tube. Eustachian tubes link the middle ear to the back of the nose (nasopharynx). Obstructed Eustachian tubes might result in recurring ear infections. Enlarged adenoids can additionally lead to dental issues and snoring in children.
What are the signs and symptoms of enlarged adenoids?
Swollen adenoids obstruct the airways and may lead to the following symptoms:
Recurrent ear infections
Throat pain
Difficulty breathing through the nose
Mouth breathing
Snoring
Adenoid facies, which arises from long-term adenoid hypertrophy leading to ongoing sleep apnea (mouth breathing and snoring) in childhood. It may be linked to the emergence of specific facial characteristics referred to as adenoid facies. The distinct facial features include the following:
Underdeveloped thin nostrils
Short upper lip
Prominent upper teeth
Crowded teeth
High-arched palate
Underdeveloped maxilla (bone that constitutes the upper jaw)
Adenoid facies is also common in cases of recurrent upper respiratory tract allergies, which manifest with
Dennie’s lines: These are horizontal folds beneath the lower eyelids.
Nasal pleat: This is a horizontal crease located just above the tip of the nose created by the repeated upward wiping of nasal secretions with the hands.
Allergic shiners: These are dark circles under the eyes caused by chronic venous congestion.
How is adenoidectomy performed?
Adenoidectomy is conducted under general anesthesia. The adenoids are typically excised via the mouth or with an endoscope (a camera equipped with a light source) through the nose. No incisions (surgical cuts) are made externally; therefore, there will be no scars, and stitches are not required. The child may be released the same day or the next day after the operation. Medications to alleviate pain and swelling as well as to avert infection will be prescribed. Full recovery after an adenoidectomy generally requires 1-2 weeks.
