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Upon arriving at the hospital, the patient and family may meet with members of the surgical team to discuss the procedure and the patient’s medical history. The patient is then given intravenous fluids and an anesthetic.

Once the patient is properly sedated with general anesthesia, the surgeon inserts a small instrument into the mouth to keep it open. Adenoid tissue is then removed with an instrument such as a curette or a microdebrider, or a cautery (burning instrument). Packing helps control bleeding.

There are no external incisions in an adenoidectomy. The entire procedure usually takes less than 45 minutes. Children with loose baby teeth may have them removed during the procedure if necessary.