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The benefits of an adenoidectomy should become apparent soon after the procedure. Most children will breathe easier through the nose following the surgery. They will also experience fewer ear infections and sore throats. Although the adenoids and tonsils are part of the immune system, children who have them removed suffer no loss of resistance to illness.
Risks associated with adenoidectomies are mostly those connected to any type of general surgery. They include:
Other risks of the procedure are rare. These include:
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Velopharyngeal insufficiency. This occurs when the soft palate muscle at the back of the mouth does not close properly.
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Torticollis (twisted neck). Rarely patients may experience a stiff neck or neck spasm after the procedure.
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Atlantoaxial subluxation. An infection or inflammation of the postnasal space may require consultation with a neurosurgeon.
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Mandible (jaw bone) fracture.
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Injury to the eustachian tube (auditory tube in the middle ear).
A physician should be notified if the following symptoms appear after surgery:
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Sudden increase in nosebleeds that is not relieved by pressure, ice and head elevation.
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Bleeding from the mouth.
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Persistent fever greater than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
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Persistent sharp pain or headache that does not respond to pain relievers.
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Increased swelling or redness of the nose or eyes.
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Persistent nausea and vomiting.
Emergency medical attention should be sought for patients experiencing the following after surgery:
Because the adenoids are located above and behind the soft palate, they can be difficult to see clearly. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that an adenoidectomy often causes a great deal of bleeding in the area. For this reason, tissue is sometimes left behind during the surgery. In rare cases, remaining adenoid tissue can later grow.
In most cases, this regrowth does not cause problems. However, in rare situations, a second adenoidectomy may have to be performed. | 
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