A tonsillectomy removes the tonsils, and an adenoidectomy removes the adenoids, which are lymph tissue at the back of the nose. They are advised for frequent, severe tonsil infections, or when enlarged tonsils and adenoids cause loud snoring, breathing pauses during sleep and poor sleep quality.
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia, usually as day care or with a short stay. Children usually have a sore throat for one to two weeks and need soft, cool foods, plenty of fluids and rest. The doctor explains the pain relief plan and when school can resume.
How the Procedure Can Help
It reduces repeated throat infections and can improve breathing, sleep and daytime behaviour.
Risks and Considerations
Risks include bleeding, infection, pain, dehydration and anaesthesia-related problems. Bleeding from the mouth, fever, refusal to drink or severe pain needs urgent attention.
Myringotomy is a tiny cut in the eardrum to drain fluid from the middle ear, and a tympanostomy tube keeps the opening ventilated. It is used for children with repeated ear infections or fluid behind the eardrum that causes hearing loss and does not clear on its own.
The procedure is short and is done under general anaesthesia in young children. Fluid is suctioned out, and a tiny tube is placed. Drops may be used afterwards, and the doctor advises keeping water out of the ears during bathing and swimming.
How the Procedure Can Help
It improves hearing, reduces ear infections and supports speech development.
Risks and Considerations
Risks include ear discharge, tube blockage, scarring of the eardrum and a hole that does not close after the tube falls out. Tubes typically fall out after several months. Persistent discharge or pain needs review.
Appendectomy is the removal of the appendix, a small tube attached to the large bowel, when it becomes inflamed. Children with appendicitis often have pain that moves to the lower right abdomen, with fever, vomiting and loss of appetite. Young children may be harder to assess, so doctors rely on examination, blood tests and ultrasound.
Surgery is usually done soon after diagnosis because the appendix can burst in children more quickly than in adults. It can be performed by keyhole or open methods under general anaesthesia. If the appendix has burst, antibiotics are continued after surgery, and the stay may be longer.
It removes the source of infection and prevents rupture and abdominal infection.
Risks and Considerations
Risks include wound infection, abscess, bowel injury and anaesthesia problems. Fever, increasing pain, vomiting or wound discharge after surgery needs prompt review.
A hernia is a bulge caused by tissue pushing through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. In children, groin (inguinal) hernias are usually present from birth and do not heal on their own. Umbilical hernias, which show as a bulge at the navel, often close by themselves by about four or five years of age.
Inguinal hernias are repaired surgically, usually as day care under general anaesthesia, by closing the open channel without the use of mesh. Umbilical hernias are repaired if they are large, persist beyond the usual age or cause symptoms. A hard, painful, discoloured bulge, especially if accompanied by vomiting, is an emergency.
How the Procedure Can Help
Repair removes the bulge and prevents the bowel from becoming trapped.
Risks and Considerations
Risks include infection, bleeding, recurrence and, in boys, injury to structures near the testis. Fever, swelling or increasing pain after surgery needs review.
Orchiopexy is the operation that brings an undescended testicle into the scrotum and fixes it there. In some baby boys, one or both testes have not descended at birth. If they do not descend on their own by about six months, surgery is usually advised, ideally in the first year or two of life.
A small cut is made in the groin, and sometimes in the scrotum, and the testis is freed and placed in its position. The operation is done under general anaesthesia, usually as day care. Activity is limited for a short time afterwards.
How the Procedure Can Help
It supports testicle growth and fertility, allows easier checking in later life and helps prevent twisting.
Risks and Considerations
Risks include bleeding, infection, testicle moving back up and reduced growth of the testis. Fever or increasing swelling or pain after surgery needs review.
A tongue-tie occurs when a short band of tissue under the tongue limits its movement. In some babies, it makes breastfeeding difficult, causing poor latch, long feeds, poor weight gain or maternal pain. In older children, it may affect speech or eating.
A feeding assessment comes first, since not every tongue-tie needs release. If it is advised, the procedure is quick. In young infants, the tissue band is divided with sterile scissors, often with minimal pain relief, and the baby is fed straight away. Older children may need a short anaesthetic.
How the Procedure Can Help
It can improve tongue movement and, in some babies, ease feeding.
Risks and Considerations
Risks include bleeding, infection and reattachment. Persistent bleeding, fever or refusal to feed afterwards needs prompt attention.
