adenoidectomy

ad·e·noid·ec·to·my (dn-oi-dkt-m)

n.

Surgical removal of adenoid growths in the nasopharynx.

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adenoidectomy

[ad′ənoidek′təmē]

Etymology: Gk, aden + eidos, form, ektomē, excision

the removal of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx. This surgical procedure may be performed because the adenoids are enlarged, chronically infected, or causing obstruction. Normal adenoids may be excised as a prophylactic measure during tonsillectomy. Preoperative procedures usually include a partial thromboplastin time and for African-American patients a sickle cell preparation test. The operation is performed with general anesthesia in children, but local anesthesia may be used in adults. After removal of the adenoids, bleeding is stemmed with pressure, or vessels may be ligated with sutures or electrocoagulation current may be used. After surgery, the patient is observed for signs of hemorrhage, and the pulse, blood pressure, and respiration are checked every 15 minutes for the first hour and every 30 minutes for several hours thereafter. Compare adenotonsillectomy, tonsillectomy.

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adenoidectomy [ad″ĕ-noid-ek´tah-me]

surgical excision of the adenoids. The operation is usually performed in conjunction with tonsillectomy since both the adenoids and palatine tonsils tend to become enlarged after repeated infections of the throat. It may be combined with the placement of ear ventilation tubes in cases of recurrent ear infections. The preoperative and postoperative care in adenoidectomy is similar to that in tonsillectomy and is described under that heading.

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adenoidectomy,

n the removal of the lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx, usually in conjunction with the surgical removal of the palatine tonsils.

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adenoidectomy

ENT Surgical removal of adenoids Indications Upper airway or nasal obstruction, sleep apnea, chronic otitis media. See Tonsils and adenoids.