Both the adenoids and tonsils are part of the immune system and help to fight infection in your body, but the adenoids can cause problems if they become enlarged.

The adenoid is situated at the back of the nose and is composed of lymphoid tissue similar to the tonsils. This tissue is used in infancy to develop the immune system against common bacteria and viruses. It usually shrinks during childhood and becomes non-functional.

However, occasionally the adenoid remains large and causes a nasal obstruction in adults. This can be easily diagnosed in the clinic by looking at the back of the nose with a small endoscope.

Treatment consists of removing the adenoid surgically, ‘adenoidectomy’.

The surgery

The adenoid is removed using a curette through the mouth. Electrical cautery is also sometimes used. You will require pain relief although this is not as painful as Tonsillectomy. As with nasal surgery and Tonsillectomy, there is a small incidence of post-operative bleeding.