Adenoidectomy: current approaches and review of the literature

Adenoid is a secondary lymphoid organ located in the nasopharynx. Due to its location, it plays an important role in the host defense of the upper respiratory tract. Immunoglobulin G3 and immunoglobulin A1 antibodies are prevalent antibodies in the adenoid tissue. Adenoidal hypertrophy is a common condition in children causing symptoms such as mouth breathing, nasal discharge, snoring, sleep apnea, and hyponasal speech. It also plays a role in the pathogenesis of rhinosinusitis, recurrent otitis media, and otitis media with effusion. Currently, adenoidectomy is one of the most commonly performed pediatric surgical procedures worldwide. Although there is still poor evidence in the literature, recurrent upper respiratory infections, otitis media with effusion, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome are considered to be the main indications of adenoidectomy. Adenoidectomy can be carried out with several techniques and instruments. Although rare, surgery possesses some risks and may cause emotional distress both for the patient and the family. Non-surgical treatments such as intranasal steroids are also used in the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy. In this review, we discuss the current literature on the adenoid function, adenoidectomy indications, and treatment of adenoid hypertrophy.