What is adenoidectomy?

Also known as: adenoid removal

The adenoids are a mass of lymphoid tissue located in the upper airway behind the nose. While their exact function is not fully understood, they may play a minor role in the immune system during early childhood. The size of the adenoids typically decreases with age, and they usually regress by adulthood. Removal of the adenoids does not adversely impact immune function. However, when the adenoids become enlarged, they can obstruct the airway, and when infected, they may negatively affect a child's quality of life. In such cases, an adenoidectomy (surgical removal of the adenoids) can be beneficial. In some instances, a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) may be performed simultaneously, though this is not always necessary.

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Reviewed by: Sandeep P Dave, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM