Adenotonsilectomy in almost 3 year old…. Anyone’s child had this procedure and did it help?

[VillageFete]

Hi,

I’m looking for advice and I guess reassurance?

My toddler is 3 in March. Really thick, nasally voice, HUGE tonsils and a mouth breather.

Great sleeper, in terms of quantity but i’m not convinced on quality. He snores terribly and thrashes about a fair bit. He’s had a sleep study done by ENT but I don’t know the results. He’s booked in for an adenotonsilectomy in May. He doesn’t suffer terribly with tonsillitis but has had a few bouts.

He’s had a hearing test, passed it, but I was told he has fluid in his ears.

I’m concerned about his development a little. His concentration isn’t great, he’s a little bit hyperactive. His vocabulary is good, he’s very sociable and really interested in the world around him but his concentration levels could do with some improvement! I also feel he’d speak clearer after those huge tonsils are removed but don’t know if i’m wishful thinking.

Has anyone else’s child had this procedure and you’ve seen an improvement in concentration/listening afterwards? He mouth breathes constantly, not just at night and i’m wondering it this contributes to the issues I believe he is having?

DS had similar symptoms and had tonsils out and grommets in. Made a massive and instant difference - he had more energy, was less snotty, could hear and interact better, gained (much needed) weight and shot up the centiles. Definitely push for the results of the sleep study and see if the tonsils need to come out too.

Best of luck, it's hard at this age they're still so little but it was the best thing we did for him.

@CaravanConcerns Thanks for the reply. ENT confirmed both adenoids and tonsils would be coming out in May. I’m worried sick, but relieved at the same time!

He just doesn’t seem to have great concentration levels unless on his Ipad!! And i’m hoping the procedure may stop the mouth breathing/snoring and this will have a positive impact on concentration/hyperactivity!

Both my children had this and it really was very straightforward. They were both day case surgeries and we were discharged about 4 hours after the op with calpol and ibruprofen. About a week off school to let them recover but I think they could have gone back earlier as they were bouncing off the walls by the end. Good luck x

My son had this at two and a half (along with grommets) due to constant ear infections and the knock-on impact on his hearing.

Agree with the other posts, it was a straightforward, minor procedure and he was out in the day. It was a complete game changer for him, more extensive speech came almost instantly and he went from being a grizzly, ill child to a robust and healthy boy.

Ironically he still has listening problems as a teenager, but definitely no medical solution for those....