Would You Have Your 3 1/2 Year Old Have an Adenoidectomy?

My son had chronic ear infections and had tubes put in his ears at around 18 mos. The infections got worse. I finally took him to a pediatric ENT and he suggested removing the adenoids and tubes. His theory was the infection was being "stored" in the adenoids and he was getting worse instead of better. He told me he might need tubes put back in, but we'd see. His ear infections stopped completely. He's had 2 in the last 3 years. I would do it again in a New York second. He didn't have tubes put back in. He's been a much healthier little guy.

I know it's a difficult decision. I would definitely seek a second opinion with another ENT, preferably a pediatric one. He had so much better "bed side manner" with my son. My son was at ease with him from the beginning and so was I.

Blessings!
L.

Hello S.,
If getting an second opinion will make you feel better than by all means do just that, however: My 3 yr old had a tosillectomy and an adenoidectomy this past December. She has been snoring, drooling (in sleep) since birth, breathing problems(was diagnosed with asthma) AND was also diagnosed with mild sleep apnea (she would stop breating at night). I was told by the ENT and her pulmonologist that her tonsils and adnoids were enlarged, which was hindering her breathing, they unanimously suggested they be removed. My baby has a serious lisp and if you didn't know her you could not understand a word she said. I know of a similar case where my coworker was told that if she put off coming into the docter her daughter may have died because her breathing was almost 100% constricted, by her enlarged adenoids. None the less, the operation was really quite quick and simple, it took just a little bit longer cause she had her tonsils removed as well. She spent one night in the hospital, for observation because of her age, I slept in the bed with her. She was on pain meds, so she was out of it almost the entire rest of that day. But woke up the next morning and ate eggs and a lil sausage, lil oatmeal. It took about two days for her pain to subside, I chose to give her tylenol, but she fought me with the pain med. After that it was business as usual, she got a little tired easily for about the first week, she was suppose to be taking it easy anyway. Her breath was horrible, an expected side effect, for about 3 weeks or so. Her speech has greatly improved, and all is well.

At 3 1/2 my son was having the same problems and his were blocking 80 % of his airway. His doctor removed his Adenoids and left his tonsils. He has been a different child from the minute he came out of anesthesia! I wish I'd have done it earlier. He is six now. His doctor was Mehendele in the professional building at Centennial Medical Center. We really liked him, and have never had to go back to see him. Good luck!

Hi S., my daughter had her tonsils and adnoids out while she was in the 1st grade. She went from an always sick, always on antibiotic kid to a healthy, active, never sick, growing athlete. She's now in the 8th grade and I can't think of a single time she's been sick with anything but seasonal allergies. If I could go back and have this procedure done on her at age 3 I would absolutely do it!!! She lost a lot of good years laying around sick when she could have been well. Hers wasn't sinuses, hers was constant strep throat.

My niece had this surgery when she was 14 months old. Like your baby my niece stayed sick. My sister took her to the Dr and her adnoids were almost black. She had them taken out and has had no problems since. My niece will be 5 next month.

I have a 9 year old nephew who had his out at 2years old and I know it made all the difference in the world. My 5 year old had tubes in her ears at 18months and if they would of suggested removing her adnoids, I would of jumped on the chance. It really does effect their sleep. I was 24 years old when I had my adnoids and tonsils removed. I wished I had it done when I was younger. I had complications and ended up in the hospital for a week. My ENT asked me why I did not have them out as a child. I was constantly sick. Since mine were removed, I have rarely been ill. However, as someone else said, if you have any doubt in your mind you should always get a second opinion. I will pray that you will have a peace of mind when you finally make a decission.

S.,
I just went through this with my 2 yr old girl. She had the same problems. There hasn't been 1 day in 2 years her nose wasn't running, she wasn't on antibiotics or some type of allergy medicine. It was the best thing we have ever done. She hasn't had a runny nose since, nor has she been on any antibiotics. She was fine the same day of surgery. She drank before we left the hospital. It took her a couple of days to want to eat again, but she drank like a fish. She is so much better now. I would definitely do it again. Good luck

I would hate for her to have to have surgery at such a young age. Have you tried any alternative medicine treatment? There is a Naturopathic Doctor in Dallas named Sharon Krahn, a an acupuncturist in Allen specializing in allergy elimination (Steve Homoky) and a chiropractor in Plano Dr. Tom Lenehan. They all have experience working with children. Just a thought for you.

My baby is almost 2yrs old and just had an adenoidectomy. He struggled to breath his entire life, especially when he would sleep. He would snore loud, sweat and you could literally see his chest pop out when he would breath, that is how hard he would fight to breath. He would throw up practically everynight, due to not breathing. It was awful.

We noticed results immediately after surgery. It was amazing. He is a whole new child. He can breath threw his nose for the first time ever. He does not throw up anymore and sleeps like an angel. You can just look at him and know that he is happier. His speech is improving so much in just two weeks. It has changed all of are lives and it was the best decison we could have ever made for him. If your child need this please go ahead and get it over with..better sooner then later. I was very nervouse for him but knew I had to put my selfish needs behind me to make him better:)

Yes, I would. Your daughter is constantly on medication and is not correcting the problem. I would be concerned about it affecting her speech because of the adenoids being so enlarged.

Our ENT thought they were going to have to take our then 10 month old sons out because of chronic ear infections. Luckly the tubes worked and we didn't have to do it. I talked to a few parents at the surgery center while waiting of my sons to have his surgery. Several of there children had it done and now siblings were getting the surgery. They all said it was the best thing they ever did.

Our now 2 1/2 yr. old DS had his adenoids removed and tubes inserted at 15 mos. due to chronic infections. He was never without a UR infec. or ear infection-his eardrums burst and everything-it was awful to see him miserable all the time. He is #3 for us and we had never had problems like this with the first two. All this to say, we had the surgery and he was like a new child-for someone who never went more than two weeks without sometype of UR/Ear infection he has had two since the tubes and removal adenoids. The surgery is very short and he came out of it with no problems and once he was awake and alert his first words were asking for a donut!!! If you truly want relief for your DD I say go for it-she still has a year and a half before she turns 5 and might see some relief. Our ENT is Dr. Roberge in Bedford and she is fantastic. HTH

YES, YES & YES. In fact we did it before he was 3. My son has sleep apnea & horrible sinus and asthma problems. It helped. We then had to have his tonsils out at 4 because of the reoccuring infections had caused scarring in his tonsils. We haven't had an ear infection or antibiotics since the tonsil removal. It was a lifesaver.

My 2 year old had it done and tubes put in at the same time. It was really no big deal. The recovery on him was very easy. BUT any surgery has risks. AND it did not help him at all by the way. (He is an unusual case) BUT it does help some children. So I guess you just have to outweigh the benefits vs. the risks. I do know it is a simple procedure on children that young and they bounce back very easily if that eases your mind any.

Dear S. A,
You may not want to try this . But there is a air machine out there that will help her . It isn't a filter machine you buy in the stores.I had to take allergy med for yeears everyday till found this machine.
Go to www.freshairliving.com/mgarrett
check that web site out and see what you think. It only takes a few day to see if it works.
Thank you
J. G

S.,
My oldest son has had several terrible ear infections and fluid on his ear drum. We had his FIRST tubal suregery right before his second birthday. By the same time, the following year we had to go have the SECOND tubal surgery, which also meant his adenoid was removed. He has been doing great sinec we did the second surgery. Personally, my husband and I both wanted the doctor to take out his tonsils as well, but he would not do so. The surgery is minor and you have nothing worry about. He was up and playing shortly after he came out of suregery. It is better that children have surgeries when they are young, that way they do not remember the pain or discomfort. My youngest son is already showing the same problems as my oldest. I can tell you that I am already considering the adenoidectomy for him as well. Hope this helps you!

My 4 year old had his out the moment he turned 3 - literally we had surgery the monday after his birthday (dr. didn't want to do til 3) and he has not been sick since!!!! He and a T & A and is off all his asthma meds and only taking singular and zyrtec now.

Teri

My child didn't need this, but a friend's little boy did. He was only 18 mos., but he was constantly sick and never slept more than an hour or two at a time. After having his adenoids and tonsils removed, he was a different child. He's healthier, happier, much more outgoing and less afraid of other people (I guess when he felt bad, he only wanted to be with his mama), sleeps well, and talks and plays much more. It's amazing.

It's better to do it at this age than older. It will surely help.

Blessings,

P. <><

My daugher had both her tonsils and Adenoids out at 18 months of age. It made such a huge change in her life! She slept better from that point forward and it has cut down on illness greatly! I've heard that just Adenoid surgery isnt too h*** o* them! She should be fine in a day or so..

The biggest concern you will have after surgery is why you waited so long... :)

We had a very similar situation. Our son was plagued with ear infections at an early age to the point he was almost continually taking antibiotics and his hearing and speech were greatly affected. We put tubes in his ears and problem solved. However after 18 months, the tubes "worked their way out" which is a very natural process and immediately...ear infection! At that time our ENT recommended we put new tubes in and remove the adenoids. We struggled with the decision to remove the adenoids for the same reason. They were obviously put there for a reason (to prevent certain infections at an early age), and they will shrink to nothing in a matter of years. However, because of all of the drainage, the adenoids were constantly infected. As a result, my son was taking antibiotics more often than recommended and was having difficulty hearing. Even if the adenoids were to shrink in a few years, that would be a few years of more antibiotics and struggling hearing and therefore speech. We decided to remove them. When the doctor took them out, he mentioned how swollen and pussy they were and how glad he was that we all came to that decision. I know that any procedure done to your baby is a difficult one, however, the process is quick and relatively painless. My son suffered more from having to wake up so early that day and skip breakfast. By the afternoon, he was is old self.

Yes, do it. I had mine out when I was 3 because I was constantly sick. My mom said I was so much better, & I rarely get sick anymore. My mom said the surgery went well, & my recovery went well.

A friend (30 years old) had hers out last year, & she said it was worse than having 2 c-sections...with 1 that had a bad epidural & didn't take! She had mono twice last year & decided it was time. Her recovery was awful, & she had wished she had it done when she was a child.

There is something that is causing her nose to be runny, I would try an elimination diet to see if taking certain foods our of her diet will stop the problem. A couple in my Bible class asked for prayer of this same scenario. They did the elimination diet and no need for surgery. Many kids are allergic to milk/dairy, corn, wheat, gluten. By the way corn syrup is in most of the fruit juices & is a corn product. Research it and put together a list of items you see listed that you know your daughter consumes and try taking it out for a couple of weeks and note if there is improvement in her symptoms. Dairy products are mucous building which will cause a runny nose. Vitamin C Escorbate powder can be added to real fruit juices to boost healing. Personally speaking, my son had this issue and teaching him to blow versus sucking in the mucous spared him some ear infections. As time went on I taught him to communicate to me if he felt rundown or got a funny taste in his mouth which for him was a sign some cold or germ was festering. I too went thru the surgery of having the tonsils and adenoids removed at 6 yrs old. It did help with the ear infections but didn't stop the colds and upper respiratory infections. I eventually learned that dairy was my culprit and eliminated alot of it. From time to time I can do milk, ice cream, cheese but in small doses with many weeks in between to avoid having a crisis occur. I've learned that as a child having multiple respiratory infections puts me at high risk of having emphasema (sp??) in old age even though I did not smoke. It gives you something to think about. I did learn to replace milk for cereal or smoothies with soy or rice milk. It is like learning to use sweet n low instead of sugar...It takes time to adjust to the taste difference but the earlier you start with your daughter the better off she will be. Best of life to you and your family.

S.,

My now 5 year old had her adenoids taken out and tubes put in her ears about a year ago.

Unlike your daughter she did not have ear infections. She does have severe allergies and we found out that her ears were filled with fluid. Even though she never complained about them hurting she would always tell me her "ears weren't working." I took her to our peditrician who then referred me to a specialist. He suggested having the surgery. We went ahead and took his advise.

She woke up out of surgery just fine didn't even cry. She could hear better right away. We had no issues what so ever after the surgery. The tubes still have not fallen out.

So if she's having issues and this will relieve some of them I suggest having the surgery.

The doctor we took our daughter to is Dr. Huoang, he has an office in Desoto at Charleston but he also has another office in North Dallas, I think. I think that's how you spell his name. If you'd like his information for a 2nd opinion, I'd be more than happy to find it for you.

Thanks and God bless!

I don't know anything about adenoids, but my daughter has had to see many Drs and if one ever suggests a surgery, or a hrasher treatment than we like, we always get a second opinion to make sure that it is necessary.

I would highly suggest getting a second opinion, it definitely could not hurt.

Hi S.
My cousin is an ENT near Las Colinas medical center. Please please make an appointment with him and go get his advice. He is smart, brilliant, and a wonderful Christian man. And loves kids! :)

Here is his name and office number
Dr Byron Mullins
###-###-####

Also my son had his tonsils and ads out when he was 2 b/c they were so huge they were meeting in the middle and causing sleep apnea. Please make sure your daughter is not stopping breathing during the night. Keep us posted on how she's feeling!

Yes! My daughter was having the same issues when she was 2 and we had the surgery. That was 6 years ago. The day surgery was quick and it cleared up the chronic sinus issues.

My son was about 15 months when he had ear tubes placed and an adenoidectomy. He is now almost 3 years old and doing great, still has the ear tubes in. It was a day procedure, and we were home within a couple of hours. He slept for awhile after we got home, but got over it very quickly. I can't necessarily say how well the adenoidectomy helped, because we started him in daycare a couple of months after the surgery, and he started getting sinus infections all the time. But overall, I think the procedure helped him. Hope this information helps!!

I had mine removed at 22 months (tonsils and adnoids do the both at the same time) and I just turned 32 so everything was fine. I am not sure that it helped with sinus and allergies(still have them) but I had chronic ear infections and tonsilitis and it helped with that. Get a second opinion from another ENT. And if you do decide to have them removed the younger the better..........i have no memories of having mine done.

We had my little boys adenoids taken out and tubes put in his ears when he was a little over 2-1/2. He was having cronic ear infections, on antibiotics all the time, on Singulair for over a year (over 100.00 a month prescription). Singulair worked to keep the ear infections at bay but when it stopped working I was just throwing money away. I didn't want to have to pay for surgery but it came to the point where I felt it would be cheaper. The ENT said that the adenoids were like a sespool and the antibiotic would work but not clear all the bacteria out of the adenoids. A vicious cycle. Anyway... We had the surgery done one morning. It took all of 20 minutes to take the adenoides out and put tubes in both ears. We were home by lunch. He ate lunch and played for the rest of the afternoon. Amazing thing that I was not expecting from the surgery... my son had had a runny nose for months, the day of the surgery it was running, when we got home I noticed that it wasn't running anymore. And it hasn't since. Well unless he is crying. I was just expecting a relief in the ear infection department but was thrilled that he no longer had a runny nose. It is so unattractive when you want your baby to be the cutest baby. I felt it was worth it. My son also sleeps better and has more energy. Also have your daughters hearing checked that may help your decision. I'm sure there is fluid behind her ear drums that is not letting her hear well. That helped me make my decision. Hope this helps.

MY daughter had this done when she was right around 3, she always had ear infections. She wasn't talking before very much, a week after the surgery she was saying elephant. i dont know if your little girl is talking a lot but if she is having chronic sinus infections it would be better to have it taken care of now because my husband has always had chronic sinus infections and and got polops in his sinus cavities and had to have surgery for that. My daughter did just fine with the surgery and has not had any problems with infections. I the end it is yours and your husbands final decision. But i have always thought it was well worth it. she was the last one in to have surgery an the first one to leave. I think it made her feel that muh better.

There is a clinical nutritionist in Wichita Falls who would be able to help you with this. She may even help you avoid surgery. She is on Ave K & Kemp if you're in the area or you can reach her at ###-###-#### or email ____@____.com website is www.advanced clinicalnutrition.com. Give her a call! She can help!

I would highly recommend it. My little girl had hers out at 3 years old, due to the same problems. She was also suffering from bouts of croup. I have to say that since we had them out, we have not had very many problems at all. The adenoids do fight off infection, but when you have constant infections and allergies problems like our girls do, they become covered in mucus and infection.

It was a very easy surgery. She was up and playing without pain meds by the afternoon. The dr. that we used was Dr. Timothy Trone ( Medical City Dallas) good luck!

J. S