Tonsil and Adenoid Problems

What is the use of Tonsil and Adenoid?
At the beginning of our respiratory and digestive system, there is a lymphoid tissue community called Waldeyer's ring, which is located to fight microbes during their entry into the body. Tonsils and Adenoid are just two of the elements of this ring. They prepare to defend the body, especially by recognizing microbes entering from the upper respiratory tract.

Are tonsils and adenoids seen in the examination?
The tonsil is seen when the patient opens his mouth during the examination, but the adenoid is located in the area where the nose opens back, behind the soft palate and cannot be seen in this way. The adenoid can be seen through cameras using instruments called endoscopes. However, it may not always be possible to perform this examination in children. In this case, if necessary, an evaluation can be made on the projection of the adenoid by taking a film called lateral graphy.

They said our child has a gene, what does that mean?
Adenoid is present in every child born. Therefore, this expression is misunderstood. The correct expression should be 'large adenoid'. Normally, the adenoid grows up to 5 years old and starts to regress after 5 years of age. However, this regression does not occur in every child. When it does not occur, the removal of adenoids comes to the fore.

What kind of problems does an enlarged adenoid cause?
When the adenoid is large, it can create a blockage at the point where the nose opens back. In this case, the child may have nasal congestion, sleep with his mouth open, snoring, and even if there are enlarged tonsils, apnea may occur during sleep. If this is not noticed and intervened in time, the development of the child's face, jaw and palate may be adversely affected. A child is a developing, growing organism. Nasal breathing is very important for this organism. In a child who constantly breathes and snores, a child expression may appear with a flattened nasal root, a domed palate, and a protruding front teeth.

How does adenoid cause inflammation in the ears?
The middle ear cavity is connected to the nasal cavity through a canal called the Eustachian tube. The main function of the Eustachian tube is to provide ventilation and drainage of the middle ear. If the mouth of the Eustachian tube is clogged with an enlarged adenoid, drainage becomes difficult, and because the Eustachian tube is more horizontal in children, it makes it easier for the microbes in the nasal passages to reach the middle ear.

When should nasal meat be taken?
In case of adenoid enlargement, which causes nasal breathing to be prevented, such as sleeping with the mouth open and snoring, the adenoid should be removed. In addition, in case of fluid accumulation in the middle ear or recurrent otitis media due to the large adenoid clogging the Eustachian tube or increasing the transmission of bacteria to the middle ear, in case of sinusitis development and recurrence due to the large adenoid, in case of adenoid growths that disrupt the jaw structure (orthodontic problems), the adenoid growths (orthodontic problems) surgery is required.

What does beta microbe in tonsils mean?
The microbe, which is briefly expressed as beta microbe and called "Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus" in medical language, is the most common cause of bacterial tonsillitis. Tonsillitis caused by beta microbes are complications that can be seen in untreated children who develop and result in inflammation of the heart valve and kidney with a reaction of the immune system.

When should the tonsils be removed?
The two main problems that require tonsillectomy are occlusion, that is, the tonsils that are large enough to cause continual snoring and cessation of breathing during sleep, and recurrent tonsillitis. If a child has bacterial tonsil infections 7 times in a year, 5 times in 2 consecutive years, and 3 times in 3 consecutive years, the tonsils should be removed. In addition, if the development of abscess around the tonsils and the differences in the size of the tonsils suggest tumoral formations, the tonsils should be removed.

Will the immune system be damaged when my child's tonsils and adenoids are removed? Will his lungs be vulnerable?
This question is one of the most frequently asked questions by ENT specialists. Such a concern may arise in the families of children who are planned to have tonsil-dental meat taken together. It is true that the tonsils and adenoids are organs in the body's immune system. However, if the harm of an organ exceeds its benefit and that organ is not essential for the body, it is more correct to take it. In a healthy child who does not have a special immune deficiency, when tonsil and adenoid surgery is performed for the reasons mentioned above, there is no collapse in the immune system. There is no scientific data on the increase in lung infections in these children. Because even after the tonsils and genia flesh are removed, other immune system elements in the mouth and throat continue to function as protective.

How are tonsil and adenoid surgeries performed?
Adenoid and tonsil surgery is performed under general anesthesia. For this reason, the patient is evaluated by the anesthesiologist with physical examination and various tests before the operation, and the family or patient is informed about general anesthesia and its risks. Adenoids and tonsils are taken from the mouth. There is no need for an incision in the skin.

Is there an age limit for surgeries?
In the past, some age limits were mentioned, especially due to the risks of anesthesia. There is no such age limit today.

What does bloodless and seamless tonsil surgery mean?
Today, tonsil surgery has become much less bloody compared to the old techniques with instruments such as bipolar cautery, thermal welding, plasmakinetic cautery, and radiofrequency. Laser is not a device used in tonsil surgeries. Although the above-mentioned devices are defined as lasers among the people, this is not an accurate definition.

How is the recovery process after tonsil and adenoid surgery?
On the first day after the operation, the patient is given ice cream as it will help reduce edema and pain. In addition, a diet list containing soft foods that will be applied for 1 week-10 days and will pass easily from the throat is given. Again, painkillers and antibiotics prescribed by the physician should be used after the surgery. While the recovery period after adenoid surgery takes about 3 days, the recovery process after tonsil surgery takes an average of 10 days.