My son is 6 and a half years old he has had chronic ear infections since
infancy. He has had two sets of tubes in. The last set of tubes fell out
in January of this year he has had an ear infection ever since. He has
been on three different types of antibiotics in four months and his
infection is not going away. Our ear doctor has recomended that he has a
third set of tubes put in. I asked about removal of the adnoid and he
didn't feel that it would make any difference at this time. I'm quite
concerned about my son being on medication for such a long period of
time his amune system is so low. I've been told that this was nothing to
be concerned about. His ear infections seem to be getting worse not
better he has them more often.
Would you recommened the removal of a childs adnoids for chronic ear
infections? Do your tubes actualy get bigger, or change with age or does
your adnoids shrink and disapper with age therefor opening up your
tubes.
Reply: -------------------------
Clinical research has demonstrated that in children older than 4 years of age who have chronic otitis media which fails medical therapy, and particularly when there is middle ear fluid present for 3 months or longer,there is significant potential benefit from adenoidectomy combined with tympanostomy tube insertion. Furthermore, it has been shown that the benefit of adenoidectomy in this situation is the same regardless of the size of the adenoids. In other words, enlarged adenoids such as that which causes mouthbreathing or snoring need not be present to consider adenoidectomy potentially beneficial in the treatment of chronic otitis media. The theory is that the adenoids, large or small, may be colonized with bacteria which is never completely eradicated by antibiotic therapy with the bacteria refluxing up the eustachian tube thereby causing otitis. As to your latter question, the adenoids due indeed atrophy with age, but typically this will not occur until the late teenage years.
--
Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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