Tonsil and adenoid surgery is recommended for children typically for either recurrent tonsillitis or symptomatic sleep disordered breathing. With tonsillitis if a child has more than 7 episodes of tonsillitis a year, 5 episodes in 2 years or 3 episodes in 3 years then they are a candidate for an operation.
If a child snores and has disturbed sleep (movement or sweatiness) along with day time symptoms such as tiredness, poor concentration and anxiety then they may have sleep disordered breathing and should be assessed.
A new and emerging area of understanding is the impact of a blocked nose on a child’s health. If a child sleeps consistently with a blocked nose, then there may affects on:
- Sleep causing disturbance (with all of the consequences on a child’s development including poor concentration, fatigue, anxiety)
- Facial growth, causing abnormal facial symmetry and architecture
- Teeth, with dehydration of the enamel, associated teeth grinding, increased cavities and crowding of the teeth
- Exercise performance
- Speech Impairment, causing a blocked nose voice which can affect speech understanding
Nasal Surgery in Children to address the adenoids and/ or turbinates is typically day surgery performed under general anesthesia. Pain management and time off school is required for 1-3 days, with 2-3 weeks off sport and heavy physical activities to reduce the risk of post-operative bleeding.
If tonsillectomy is required, then this is usually performed as day surgery over 4 years of age and overnight if 3 and under. Pain management is required for 5-10 days, with usually a week off school. Again 2-3 weeks off sport and heavy physical activities, is recommended to reduce the risk of post-operative bleeding.
For more information please visit the Sydney Hills ENT Website:
OTHER DISEASE PROCESSES
OTHER DISEASE PROCESSES
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