Adenoidectomy
Eight-year-old Jeffrey suffered from severe breathing and sleeping disruption as a result of his enlarged adenoids, an area of extra tissue in the back of the nose. The enlarged tissue physically blocks the nasal air passages, so when a child inhales, the air hits the adenoids instead of the air passage to the throat and lungs.

After several unsuccessful medical treatments, Jeffrey went under the knife to have his adenoids removed.

Pediatric otolaryngologist and author of Take a Deep Breath, Dr. Nina Shapiro, performs the adenoidectomy.

An adenoidectomy is a common procedure, with about 500,000 performed annually in the United States. The adenoids are removed or shaved down to make more room for the patient to breathe. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes and leaves no visible scars. Patients are generally able to resume normal activity within two days.

• Buy a copy of Dr. Shapiro’s Take a Deep Breath. 

While you cannot see your child’s adenoids, you can watch for symptoms:
• Chronic stuffy nose
• Snoring
• Sleep apnea

Since appearing on The Doctors, Jeffrey and his family received the unfortunate news that Jeffrey has cancerous Desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCTs), unrelated to the adenoid procedure. For an update on Jeffrey’s treatment, or to donate for his care, please visit jeffreyhughes.shutterfly.com.

Tags: Adenoidectomy, Breathing and Children, Dr. Nina Shapiro, parenting, Pediactrics, Take A Deep Breath