---
title: When Do We Recommend Combining Ear Tube Placement and Adenoid Removal?
description: Learn about combining ear tubes and adenoid removal for children suffering from chronic ear infections, and why ENT specialists recommend these treatments.
image: https://entlubbock.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ear-tubes-and-adenoid-removal.png
---

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# When Do We Recommend Combining Ear Tube Placement and Adenoid Removal?

[David Cuthbertson, MD](https://entlubbock.com/blog/author/david-cuthbertson-md)  Sep 12, 2023, 3:00:00 AM 

![](https://entlubbock.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ear-tubes-and-adenoid-removal.png)

If you’re trying to determine the best solution for your child’s chronic ear infections, having your ENT perform an adenoidectomy and ear tube placement simultaneously could be your best bet.

Although the thought of any extra surgery may make you nervous, **we’ll explain when and why it’s a good idea to combine the procedures for ear tubes and adenoid removal.**

## Why Combine Ear Tube Placement and Adenoid Removal?

Before we talk about why we combine these two surgeries, we’ll quickly explain what each one is and why we typically do it:

- [**Ear tube placement**](https://www.entlubbock.com/blog/parents-guide-to-pediatric-myringotomy/) is a simple procedure in which we make a small incision in each eardrum to drain built-up fluid. We then [insert tiny tubes](https://www.entlubbock.com/blog/tympanostomy-tubes/) into the incisions, which allow continued drainage for six to 12 months and reduce the likelihood of [infections](https://www.entlubbock.com/blog/otitis-media/). This procedure is ideal for kids with chronic or recurrent ear infections.
- An [**adenoidectomy**](https://www.entlubbock.com/blog/tonsillectomy-and-adenoidectomy/) is a procedure in which we remove the adenoids, which are smaller clusters of lymph tissue behind the nose and roof of the mouth. Because of their position, swollen adenoids block the openings of the sinuses and/or eustachian tubes, leading to sinus and ear infections. When kids have swollen adenoids, chronic sinus infections, or [eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms](https://www.entlubbock.com/blog/eustachian-tube-dysfunction-symptoms/), we often recommend this procedure.

Now back to the original question: Why combine the two?

Several studies show that children who get their adenoids removed are [less likely to experience new fluid buildup](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4077749/) behind their eardrums after their tubes come out.

In short, **opting for both ear tubes and adenoid removal** reduces the likelihood of further ear infections and consequences like ear pain or hearing loss.

## When Do We Recommend Getting Ear Tubes and Adenoid Removal at the Same Time?

We might recommend that your child get an adenoidectomy with an ear tube placement if:

- They’re getting ear tubes over the age of three or four.
- They’re on their second set of ear tubes.
- They have a lot of nasal congestion.

![Infographic: When Do We Recommend Combining Ear Tube Placement and Adenoid Removal?](https://entlubbock.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ear-tubes-and-adenoid-removal-infographic.png?width=800&name=ear-tubes-and-adenoid-removal-infographic.png)

## What to Expect During Ear Tube Placement and Adenoid Removal

We only perform adenoidectomies in the operating room under general anesthesia, so your child will be asleep for the entirety of both procedures.

The ear tube placement is extremely quick. First, we make a small incision in the front lower portion of one eardrum and suction out any infected fluid before slipping a small tube into the incision. We then repeat the same process in the other ear, and it’s finished!

The adenoidectomy is also fairly quick, taking only about 10 minutes. We access the adenoids through the mouth, carefully removing them from behind the palate using suctioning instruments or cautery.

## What to Expect During Recovery

Ear tube placement recovery is not painful and doesn’t involve any changes to the normal routine. Recovery from an adenoidectomy may sound worrisome, but it doesn’t actually cause much pain. In fact, it’s only about one-tenth as uncomfortable as recovery from a [tonsillectomy](https://www.entlubbock.com/blog/parents-guide-to-tonsillectomy-in-children/), and prescription pain medication is usually unnecessary. However, your child may be disoriented or grumpy as the anesthesia wears off.

Children typically feel normal after a few days, with minimal symptoms outside of some short-term nasal congestion and bad breath.

## Conclusion

Though having two procedures at once, especially for a child, can sound alarming, **ear tubes and adenoid removal** are thankfully very simple surgeries with long track records of safety and success. We hope the information above helps you rest easy if your ENT recommends combining these two quick procedures!

[Ear](https://entlubbock.com/blog/tag/ear)

## Read On

### [![](https://entlubbock.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/frenotomy-frenulectomy-frenuloplasty-frenulotomy-1.png) The Complete Guide to Tongue Ties and Frenotomy: What Every Parent Should Know Welcoming a baby into the world is an incredible experience. But finding out your sweet new baby has a tongue tie can quickly send any parent into a …](https://entlubbock.com/blog/frenotomy-frenulectomy-frenuloplasty-frenulotomy)

### [![](https://entlubbock.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Featured-Image-Search-62-1.jpg) Patient Instructions for Ear Tube Drainage: A Complete Guide Ear tube placement is a very simple, routine office procedure. But many patients have questions after they get home.](https://entlubbock.com/blog/ear-tube-drainage)

### [Tonsillectomy vs. Adenoidectomy: The Differences Explained Until fairly recently, most people believed that the tonsils and adenoids were useless, unnecessary tissue. But medical researchers now understand …](https://entlubbock.com/blog/tonsillectomy-and-adenoidectomy)

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