ENT SURGERY
Adenoidectomy
If your child is constantly blocked up, snoring loudly, breathing through their mouth, or suffering from recurring ear and sinus infections — enlarged adenoids may be the cause. Adenoidectomy is a safe, quick and highly effective procedure that removes the adenoids, immediately restoring clear nasal breathing and improving your child’s sleep, health and quality of life.
Adenoidectomy is one of the most common procedures children get — and at Royal Eye & Ear Hospital, our ENT specialist performs this procedure with the precision, care and child-friendly approach that gives parents complete confidence in their child’s safety and outcome.
What Are Adenoids?
The adenoids are a mass of lymphoid tissue located behind the nasal passages — sitting at the back of the nose, above the throat. Like tonsils, adenoids are part of the body’s immune system and play a role in fighting infection during early childhood. However, they can become persistently enlarged or chronically infected — blocking nasal airflow, disrupting sleep, and contributing to recurring ear and sinus infections.
Unlike tonsils, adenoids cannot be seen by looking into the mouth — they sit higher up, behind the nose. Their enlargement is therefore often missed until a specialist performs a nasal endoscopy or imaging.
How It Works
Adenoidectomy is performed through the mouth — no external cuts or visible scars. The four steps:
- General anaesthesia — your child is put fully to sleep before the procedure begins. They feel and hear nothing throughout.
- Access — a small instrument is placed in the mouth to keep it open and give the surgeon a clear view and access to the adenoid tissue at the back of the nose.
- Adenoid removal — the adenoid tissue is removed using a curette, microdebrider, or diathermy technique. The surgery only takes about 15–30 minutes.
- Haemostasis — any bleeding is controlled carefully. No stitches are needed — the area heals naturally on its own.
Why Choose Royal Eye & Ear Hospital for Your Child's Adenoidectomy?
Your child’s health and comfort are everything. Here is why families across Nairobi trust Royal Eye & Ear Hospital for paediatric adenoidectomy.
- 🏥 We are a specialist eye and ear hospital — our ENT team is focused exclusively on ear, nose and throat conditions. Adenoidectomy is a core part of our paediatric ENT surgical programme.
- 👁️Our ENT surgeon Dr. Mohamed Arab has extensive surgical experience performing adenoidectomies in children — with a calm, reassuring approach that puts both children and their parents at ease from the moment they arrive.
- 📍 Conveniently Located in Nairobi Based on 3rd Parklands Avenue, we serve patients from Westlands, Parklands, Gigiri, Muthaiga, and across the greater Nairobi region.
- 💊 From your child's initial ENT consultation through to their post-operative follow-up, our team guides you at every step — with clear, written aftercare instructions so you always know exactly what to do at home.
- 🔬 We understand that hospitals can feel daunting for children and parents alike. Our team creates a warm, welcoming clinical environment designed to reduce anxiety and make the entire experience as smooth as possible.
Benefits of Adenoidectomy for Your Child
Clears Nasal Blockage Immediately
Adenoidectomy significantly improves nasal breathing, reduces snoring and enhances sleep quality.
Transforms Sleep Quality
Removing enlarged adenoids opens the upper airway — restoring quiet, restful sleep and the daytime energy and behaviour that good sleep brings.
Reduces Ear Infections
Removing enlarged adenoids helps improve Eustachian tube function and reduce ear infections. Many children see a dramatic reduction in otitis media after adenoidectomy.
Improves Sinus Health
Adenoid removal can improve nasal airflow and reduce sinus problems in children with chronic sinusitis related to adenoid enlargement.
Does Not Weaken Immunity
Although adenoids are part of your child’s immune system, adenoid removal will not make their immune system weaker. Your child does not need adenoids to fight germs — they will actually be healthier without enlarged adenoids.
Quickest ENT Day Procedure
The surgery only takes 15–30 minutes with same-day discharge. Most patients resume normal activities within 5–7 days.
What to Expect After Adenoidectomy
Timeline:
Day 1 — Your child wakes groggy with a sore throat and possibly a blocked or runny nose. Mild nasal congestion and slightly noisy breathing is normal in the first day or two.
Days 1–3 — Mild pain and discomfort including sore throat, runny nose, noisy breathing or bad breath. Give pain medication as prescribed and encourage plenty of cool fluids and soft foods.
Days 4–7 — In less than a week after surgery, everything should return to normal and the problems caused by the adenoids should be gone.
Full recovery — Most patients resume normal activities within 5–7 days.
Recovery Do's and Dont's:
Do’s:
✅ Give pain medication as prescribed and on schedule
✅ Encourage plenty of cool fluids
✅ Offer soft cool foods — ice cream, yoghurt, smooth soups
✅ Keep your child rested at home for the first week
✅ Attend the follow-up appointment
Don’ts:
❌ Don’t allow strenuous exercise or rough play for 1–2 weeks
❌ Don’t send your child back to school until eating normally and feeling well
❌ Don’t give aspirin — increases bleeding risk
❌ Don’t ignore bright red bleeding — seek emergency care immediately
RESULTS
What Results Can You Expect?
1
Clear Nasal Breathing
Children who have spent months breathing through their mouth often breathe freely through their nose for the first time within days of surgery.
2
Better Sleep & Energy
Children typically show rapid improvement in sleep quality — sleeping quietly, staying asleep and waking refreshed. Parents frequently report dramatic improvements in daytime energy, mood and behaviour within weeks.
3
Fewer Ear & Sinus Infections
Many children who previously suffered from recurring otitis media experience a significant reduction — or complete elimination — of ear infections after adenoidectomy.
4
Fast Return to Normal Life
Most patients resume normal activities within 5–7 days — one of the fastest recovery times of any ENT surgical procedure.
Risks & Considerations of Adenoidectomy⚠️
Like all surgical procedures, Adenoidectomy surgery carries a small risk of complications. At Royal Eye & Ear Hospital, our surgeons take every precaution to minimize these risks — and serious complications are rare.
1
Bleeding
Bleeding risk is minimal, typically between 0.5% and 1%. Any post-operative bright red bleeding requires immediate medical attention.
2
Anaesthetic Risks
A small risk with any general anaesthetic. Our team conducts a thorough pre-operative assessment to manage risk factors.
3
Adenoid Regrowth
Sometimes adenoids grow back. If tissue continues to cause problems, your child may need surgery twice — but this is rare.
Patient outcome note: Individual results vary depending on the density of the cataract, the patient’s overall eye health, and adherence to post-operative care. Your surgeon will give you a personalised expectation at your pre-operative consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adenoidectomy Surgery
Tonsillectomy removes the visible tonsils at the back of the throat. Adenoidectomy removes the adenoids behind the nose. Both are often performed together but can be done separately depending on which tissue is causing the problem.
Typically recommended for children over 2, as adenoids naturally shrink after early childhood. Younger children may require surgery if symptoms are severe.
No. Adenoid removal will not weaken your child’s immune system. They will actually be healthier without enlarged adenoids.
15–30 minutes. Plan for a full day at Royal Eye & Ear Hospital including admission, preparation, procedure and recovery observation.
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