Adenoidectomy

For the treatment of

Glue ear

Commissioning position

This intervention is commissioned as adjuvant treatment to grommet insertion; see also policy 088 Grommet insertion in children or adults.

 

Adenoidectomy is also routinely commissioned and does not require prior approval:

  • As part of treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea or sleep disordered breathing in children (e.g. as part of tonsillectomy) OR
  • As a part of treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis in children OR
  • For adenoid hypertrophy causing persistent nasal obstruction in children or adults OR

In preparation for speech surgery in conjunction with a cleft surgery team

Summary of rationale

There is some evidence that adenoidectomy with or without unilateral or bilateral grommets reduces the presence or persistence of OME. If someone is already having general anaesthesia for grommets, the added risk of doing adenoidectomy at the same time is likely to be very small. However, adenoidectomy is likely to lead to velopharyngeal insufficiency or nasal regurgitation in children with an abnormality of the palate, so is not appropriate for this group 

References

Removal of adenoids for treatment of glue ear (EBI)

Associated Pathways

There are no associated pathways.

Specialties

Ear, Nose and Throat York Ear, Nose and Throat North Yorkshire Ear, Nose and Throat Hull Ear, Nose and Throat East Riding Ear, Nose and Throat North Lincolnshire Ear, Nose and Throat North East Lincolnshire

Places covered by

  • East Riding
  • Hull
  • North East Lincolnshire
  • North Lincolnshire
  • North Yorkshire
  • Vale of York
Author:
Date created: 08/07/2025, 10:48
Last modified: 30/07/2025, 09:13
Date of review: 30/04/2028