Adenoidectomy and Tonsillectomy to Eliminate Airway Obstruction

Airway obstruction is a multifaceted clinical entity with numerous underlying etiologies, capable of compromising one’s quality of life and posing potential life-threatening situations. In otolaryngological diseases, especially in the pediatric cohort, hypertrophy of the adenoid and tonsillar tissues is a predominant factor responsible for airway obstruction. Such hypertrophy can impede airflow, interfere with normal speech and swallowing, and disrupt sleep architecture, leading to secondary complications ranging from poor academic performance in children to cardiovascular anomalies. Nasal breathing is of vital importance in children when compared with adults. Elevated larynx position is the main factor that makes mouth breathing difficult. Nasal congestion and obstruction strongly trigger respiratory distress in pediatric cases. For example, severe systemic hypoxic effects may be seen in cases of choanal atresia in neonates, especially when it is bilateral. Therefore, the blockage of the nasal airway by adenoid hypertrophy can lead to various complications which may adversely affect the growth process. Adenotonsillectomy—the surgical removal of both adenoids and tonsils—is a procedure steeped in historical significance and has undergone myriad evolutions over the past century. From primarily a procedure to combat recurrent infections, its indication has significantly broadened to address airway obstruction. Today, it remains one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide.