An adenoidectomy is a low-risk procedure that rarely causes any complications. It is a relatively common operation that is quick and easy to carry out. The possible problems are outlined below.
Allergy to the anaesthetic
With any surgery that requires an anaesthetic, there is a risk of the patient experiencing an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic.
If your child has good general health, their chance of experiencing a serious allergic reaction to the anaesthetic is extremely small (1 in 20,000).
Approximately 1 in 100 children are mildly allergic to anaesthetic, and 1 in 10 may experience some temporary symptoms such as a headache, sickness or dizziness.
Bleeding
In a very small number of cases, the ENT surgeon may struggle to stop the bleeding after the adenoids have been removed. This kind of heavy bleeding is known as a haemorrhage. Less than 1 in 100 children will require emergency treatment to stop a haemorrhage. However, if it occurs, a haemorrhage has to be dealt with quickly to prevent your child losing too much blood.
Infection
All surgery carries the risk of infection. The tissue in the area where the adenoids were removed may become infected with bacteria. Following an adenoidectomy, your child may be prescribed antibiotics to help prevent an infection occurring.
Minor problems after surgery
Following an adenoidectomy, some children will experience minor health problems. However, most of these are only temporary and rarely require further treatment. They can include:
- sore throat
- earache
- stiff jaw
- blocked nose
- bad breath (halitosis)
- change in voice (your child may sound like they are speaking through their nose)
Most of these symptoms will pass within one to two weeks. They should not last longer than four weeks. If your child is still experiencing side effects after this time, contact your GP for advice.
