Synonyms
Definition
The adenoids are considered a collection of lymphoid tissue positioned on the posterior nasopharyngeal surface. They are anatomically linked to Waldeyer’s ring which includes the palatine and lingual tonsils. Adenoidectomy refers to the surgical excision of this tissue, which is done to treat a variety of disease processes. Although adenoidectomy suggests complete excision of adenoid tissue, most surgical techniques shave off the superficial adenoid tissue.
Purpose
Adenoid hypertrophy or chronic adenitis may cause significant problems related to craniofacial morphology in the growing child, excessive snoring, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and poor oral intake. Removal of adenoid tissue is performed to improve the quality of life and reduce the negative sequelae associated with these problems. It is generally a well-tolerated procedure with a fairly low risk profile and the majority of patients have significant improvement in symptoms...
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Siegel, B., Parikh, S.R. (2013). Adenoidectomy. In: Kountakis, S.E. (eds) Encyclopedia of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23499-6_803
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23499-6_803
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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