Adenoids removed and tubes in toddlers

I took my DS(21 months) to an ENT on Wednesday. I knew he was going to need tubes because hes had numerous ear infections and the last one has been going on for 6 weeks now (still has fluid in the ears). ENT gave us 3 options-1. do nothing and wait to see if it corrects itself (he said that that rarely happens) 2. doing just the tubes. 3. removing adenoids and placing tubes. He basically said its our decision, but i don't know what to do. Tubes hes not really under but if we do both he needs to be under a general anesthesia. I am so torn. We are definitely doing one of the 2 options either just tubes or both adenoids and tubes. Anyone have any experience with having adenoids removed in a toddler. How will he be after the surgery? Are there any side effects from removing the adenoids?

Re: Adenoids removed and tubes in toddlers

I had tubes and adenoids removed for my dd who had an ongoing problem with fluid and reinfection. The real deciding factor for me was that the fluid was causing a significant hearing loss so much so that an adult with her hearing loss would have needed an hearing aid. Since the hearing loss can cause issues in speech and learning, I thought it was in her best decision to have the surgery. I also didn't want her to be on antibiotics regularly.

Re: Adenoids removed and tubes in toddlers

My DD had tubes put in at 9 months and then had her tonsils and adenoids removed right when she turned 3. The tubes were a breeze, really zero recovery time. The tonsils and adenoids were a little rough. They first day or two she was ok, then she got more uncomfortable as they started to heal. Maybe days 3-5 were the worst. She refused to take the pain meds, kept spitting it out. If you can get the meds into your child they should be ok. My DD is almost 9 now and has only been sick a couple of times since. I have no regrets. She is muchhealthier than she would have been.

Re: Adenoids removed and tubes in toddlers

My DD had it done at almost 6. She had her adenoids removed and a partial tonsil done. He reserved the decision on one tube until he went in and got a look when she was out. She missed 55 days last year from ear, sinus infections and strep. The adenoids cleared the ears right up. Best decision ever. Maybe get a second opinion. The first ENT we saw wanted to give her a full tonsil, remove the adenoids and tubes in both ears. I know a great ped ENT at NYU in best drs and has an office in Woodbury. But either way I would get a second opinion if you are not sure what to go with.

She had the surgery on Saturday at NYU. They cleared her to return to kindergarten on Monday. The fluid trapped behind her adenoids was so infected she ended up having to take antibiotics but was back at school that Wednesday.

Re: Adenoids removed and tubes in toddlers

Usually the reason for doing the adnoids is because they sit in the throat right by the Eustachian tube normally when we swallow the throat moves down to open the eustachian and create the proper pressure in the middle ear. If the adenoids are too big and block this process you get negative pressure which causes the fluid to build up. So while the tubes are helpful if the middle ear is not equalizing you can still get ear infections. and fluid in the ear causes speech problems as well as enlarged adenoids can cause articulation problems. Usually if the adenoids are big you will have a mouth breather with an pen mouth posture and snoring at night.

Message edited 12/13/2013 1:07:53 PM.