Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
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Illustration
Tonsil and Adenoid Surgery
Surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids (known as a
T&A) is one of the most common operations performed on
children in the U.S. Only 2 or 3 percent of children have
adequate medical indications for this procedure. Parents
need to be armed with enough facts to prevent any
unnecessary surgery.
The tonsils are not just some worthless pieces of tissue
that block our view of the throat. They have a purpose.
They produce antibodies that fight nose and throat
infections. They confine the infection to the throat,
rather than allowing it to spread to the neck or
bloodstream. Other beneficial functions of the tonsils and
adenoids are being studied.
RISKS OF T&A SURGERY
T&A procedures are not without risk. Under ideal
conditions, the death rate is 1 child per 250,000
operations. Approximately 4 percent of children bleed on
the fifth to eighth postoperative day. A few of these
children may need a transfusion or additional surgery. All
children experience throat discomfort for several days.
Some children whose speech was previously normal develop
hypernasal speech because the soft palate no longer closes
completely.
ERRONEOUS REASONS FOR A T&A
Some T&As are performed for unwarranted reasons. By all
means, don't pressure a physician to remove your child's
tonsils. A few physicians have difficulty saying no. You
can always find someone to perform surgery on your child; in
fact, this is the main risk of "doctor shopping."
- "Large" tonsils
Large tonsils do not mean "bad" tonsils or infected
tonsils. The tonsils are normally large during
childhood (called "physiological hypertrophy"). They
can't be "too large" unless they touch each other. The
peak size is reached between 8 and 12 years of age.
Thereafter, they spontaneously shrink in size each year,
as do all of the body's lymph tissues.
- Recurrent colds and viral sore throats
Several studies have shown that T&As do not decrease the
frequency of viral upper respiratory infections (URIs).
These URIs are unavoidable. Eventually your child
develops immunity to these viruses and experiences fewer
colds per year.
- Recurrent strep throats
Recent studies have shown that a child does not have
fewer streptococcal infections of the throat after the
tonsils are removed unless the child experiences seven
or more strep infections per year (a rare occurrence).
For children with 7 or more severe throat infections per
year, some physicians would recommend daily penicillin
for 6 months instead of a T&A, since penicillin can
almost always eradicate the strep bacteria from the
tonsils. The strep carrier state (which causes no
symptoms and is harmless and not contagious) is not an
indication for a T&A.
- Recurrent ear infections
This reason for a T&A was formerly controversial, but
more recent studies have shown that removal of the
adenoids will not open the eustachian tube and decrease
the frequency of ear infections or fluid in the middle
ear. The exceptions are children who also have
persistent nasal obstruction and mouth-breathing due to
large adenoids. Recurrent ear infections usually
respond to a 3-month course of antibiotics. Persistent
middle-ear fluid may require the insertion of
ventilation tubes in the eardrums.
- School absence
If your child misses school for vague reasons (including
sore throats), removing the tonsils will not improve
attendance.
- Miscellaneous conditions
A T&A will not help a poor appetite, hay fever, asthma,
febrile convulsions, or bad breath. There are few
medical conditions that have not at one time or another
been blamed on the tonsils.
MEDICAL INDICATIONS FOR A T&A
Yes, sometimes the tonsils should come out. But the
benefits must outweigh the risks. All but the first three
of the following valid reasons are rare. Once you decide a
T&A is needed, the ear, nose, and throat surgeon will decide
if the tonsils, adenoids, or both need removal.
- Persistent mouth-breathing
Mouth-breathing during colds or hay fever is common.
Continued mouth-breathing is less common and deserves an
evaluation to see if it is due to large adenoids. The
open-mouth appearance results in teasing, and the
mouth-breathing itself leads to changes in the facial
bone structure (including an overbite that could require
orthodontia).
- Abnormal speech
The speech can be muffled by large tonsils or made
hyponasal (no nasal resonance) by large adenoids.
Although other causes are possible, an evaluation is in
order.
- Severe snoring
Snoring can have many causes. If the adenoids are the
cause, they should be removed. In severe cases, the
loud snoring is associated with retractions (pulling in
of the spaces between the ribs) and is interrupted by
30- to 60-second bouts of stopped breathing (sleep
apnea).
- Heart failure
Rarely, large tonsils and adenoids interfere so much
with breathing that blood oxygen is reduced and the
right side of the heart goes into failure. Children
with this condition are short of breath, have limited
exercise tolerance, and have a rapid pulse.
- Persistent swallowing difficulties
During a throat infection, the tonsils may temporarily
swell enough to cause swallowing problems. Some
children refuse solid foods. If the problem is
persistent and the tonsils are seen to be touching, an
evaluation is in order. This problem more often occurs
in children with a small mouth.
- Recurrent abscess (deep infection) of the tonsil
Your child's physician will make this decision.
- Recurrent abscess of a lymph node draining the tonsil
Your child's physician will make this decision.
- Suspected tumor of the tonsil
These rare tumors cause one tonsil to be much larger
than the other. The tonsil is also quite firm to the
touch, and usually enlarged lymph nodes are found on the
same side of the neck.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:
- You think your child has a valid need for a T&A.
- You have other concerns or questions.
(REMEMBER: Do not give permission for a T&A unless your
child has one of the preceding indications.)
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