Question

My son has just been diagnosed with pediatric adenoid hypertrophy. When should surgery be considered?

Answer

Surgery is typically considered when adenoid hypertrophy is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  1. Affects breathing, leading to snoring or even breathing pauses during sleep, which can cause long-term hypoxia and affect growth and development.
  2. Causes long-term open-mouth breathing, potentially leading to a “adenoid face” with features such as elongated maxilla, high palatine arch, and upper lip protrusion.
  3. Blocks the posterior nasal cavity, leading to chronic sinusitis, which recurs despite treatment.
  4. Blocks the eustachian tube opening, causing secretory otitis media, which does not heal despite treatment.