Our Summary

This study looks at how the size of a child’s adenoids (a patch of tissue located at the back of the nasal cavity) can affect their voice after having an adenoidectomy, which is a common surgical procedure to remove the adenoids.

The researchers studied 71 children who had different sizes of adenoids. They used a special camera to look at the size of the adenoids and then checked the children’s voices before and after the surgery.

They found that before the surgery, about 59.1% of the children had a voice that sounded like they had a blocked nose. This was more common in children who had larger adenoids.

After the surgery, about 26.7% of the children had a voice that sounded like they were speaking through their nose. This was also more common in children who had larger adenoids before the surgery.

However, three months after the surgery, almost all the children’s voices had returned to normal. There was one child whose voice didn’t return to normal and needed more time for follow-up.

So, in summary, some children might sound like they are speaking through their nose after having their adenoids removed, especially if their adenoids were large. But this usually gets better and goes away on its own within three months.

FAQs

  1. How does the size of a child’s adenoids affect their voice after an adenoidectomy?
  2. What percentage of children sound like they are speaking through their nose after having their adenoids removed?
  3. How long does it usually take for a child’s voice to return to normal after an adenoidectomy?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about adenoidectomy is to expect some changes in their voice after the surgery, especially if their adenoids were large. It is common for the voice to sound like it is coming from the nose initially, but this usually resolves within three months. It is important to follow up with your doctor if there are any concerns about changes in voice quality after the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended adenoidectomy are those who have enlarged adenoids that are causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing through the nose, chronic ear infections, sleep apnea, snoring, or frequent sinus infections. Adenoidectomy may also be recommended for children who have recurrent or persistent middle ear infections despite other treatments.

Timeline

Timeline:

  • Before adenoidectomy: The child may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing through the nose, snoring, sleep apnea, frequent sinus infections, ear infections, and a voice that sounds like they have a blocked nose.
  • Surgery day: The child undergoes adenoidectomy under general anesthesia, which typically takes about 30-45 minutes.
  • Immediately after surgery: The child may experience some pain, discomfort, and swelling in the throat and may need pain medication and a soft diet for a few days.
  • 1-2 weeks post-surgery: The child’s symptoms improve as the adenoids heal and the airway becomes clearer.
  • 3 months post-surgery: The child’s voice may sound like they are speaking through their nose, especially if their adenoids were large before the surgery. However, in most cases, this resolves on its own and the voice returns to normal within three months. A follow-up may be needed for some children to monitor their progress.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about adenoidectomy include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications of adenoidectomy?
  2. How will my voice be affected after the surgery?
  3. Will my child need speech therapy or follow-up care to address any changes in their voice?
  4. How long does it typically take for the voice to return to normal after adenoidectomy?
  5. Are there any specific factors that may increase the likelihood of voice changes after the surgery?
  6. What are the signs of complications or issues with the voice that I should watch out for post-surgery?
  7. Are there any specific post-operative care instructions to help minimize voice changes or promote healing?
  8. Will my child be able to resume normal activities, including talking and singing, after the surgery?
  9. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider besides adenoidectomy?
  10. How soon after the surgery should my child have a follow-up appointment to monitor their voice and overall recovery?

Reference

Authors: Abdel-Aziz M, Hady AFA, Sheikhany AR, Yousef AI, Sabry OA, Farag HM. Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 Oct;280(10):4555-4560. doi: 10.1007/s00405-023-08049-y. Epub 2023 Jun 10. PMID: 37300643