Adenoidectomy.

 

This guideline applies to children, young people and adults.

 

Introduction

Adenoids are lymphatic tissue that reside in the postnasal space and arise from the roof of the nasopharynx. They are only usually present in children and tend to grow from birth, reaching the largest size when a child is between 3 and 5 years of age, before slowly shrinking away by adulthood.

 

Referral Criteria

1. In children with glue ear AND one or more of the following:

• Persistent and/or frequent nasal obstruction which is contributed to by adenoidal hypertrophy
• Undergoing surgery for re-insertion of grommets due to recurrence of previously surgically treated otitis media with effusion
• Undergoing grommet surgery for treatment of recurrent acute otitis media

 

2. In children with:

• Obstructive sleep apnoea or sleep disordered breathing
• As part of treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis

 

3. In children and adults with:

• Persistent nasal obstruction with adenoidal hypertrophy 
• For biopsy purposes when cancer is suspected; where the adenoids are asymmetrical and/or suspicious lesions are present 
• In preparation for speech surgery in conjunction with cleft surgery team

  

 

References

NHS Cornwall ICB Treatment Policies

 

Page Review Information

Review date	01/09/2024
Next review date	01/09/2026
GP speciality lead	Dr Laura Vines