Laser treatment of adenoids at 2 years. The effectiveness of laser therapy in the treatment of adenoids

Date: 21.10.2019

Adenoids - the proliferation of tonsil tissue, due to inflammation, which can be triggered by various factors. Mostly children aged 2 to 12 years suffer from enlargement of the tonsils. However, they are also common. The symptoms of the disease are extremely unpleasant and can greatly affect the patient's quality of life, especially when it comes to a small child.

So, with the proliferation of tissues, the nasal openings are blocked, breathing becomes difficult, the patient suffers from a runny nose. Purulent discharge from the nose is possible. Therefore, it is very important to start treatment in a timely manner. One of the most effective and painless methods of therapy in modern medicine is laser treatment of adenoids.

Benefits of laser treatment

In clinics, laser therapy is often prescribed to remove adenoids. And this is not surprising, because this method of treatment is an excellent alternative to surgical intervention. Laser therapy refers to physiotherapy and is radiation with a beam of light in the red range of the spectrum.

The advantages of the laser therapy technique include:

Painlessness of the procedure... By itself, the effect of the laser does not cause painful sensations and, in addition, before the operation, anesthetic drops are injected directly into the nose;
Accuracy . The beam works accurately at the intended points of impact, which excludes damage to healthy areas, leading to bleeding;
Scar-free and maximum sterility of the procedure due to the disinfecting effect of the beam of light;
Minimum recovery period after surgery... Basically, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.

Disadvantages of laser treatment

Despite the large number of unconditional advantages of physiotherapy, some disadvantages of the procedure cannot be ignored.

Despite the accuracy and safety of the operation, there is a variant of a burn of the nasopharyngeal mucosa;
There are situations when overgrown tissues acquire an irregular shape. In this case, it is quite difficult to completely remove the adenoids with a laser, which in turn can lead to complications;
It is also worth considering the considerable cost of the procedure and the analyzes preceding it.

After taking into account all the pros and cons of laser treatment of adenoids, you can proceed to the preliminary examination.

What examinations need to be done before laser therapy

Mandatory measures before the procedure include:

ENT consultation... It is necessary to determine the size of the growth of the tonsils and the possible effectiveness of laser removal of the adenoids;
Tomography or x-ray of the nose... The procedure is necessary to exclude sinusitis. If the disease is present, antibiotics are prescribed in addition to physiotherapy;
Blood test . It is carried out to detect in the body contraindications to the removal of adenoids with a laser.

Laser therapy for adenoids is a very effective physiotherapy method of treatment that has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. The principle of operation of the laser apparatus is to heat the overgrown tissues of the tonsils. The beam treatment of the adenoids is carried out in two different ways.

Intraoperative

It consists in additional processing of tissues with a laser after surgery. Initially, the adenoids are removed surgically. After that, the patient is prescribed laser therapy. This solution helps to accelerate tissue regeneration and prevent possible bleeding. A procedure for laser treatment of adenoids is performed using a low-intensity beam of light. It is also possible to remove tissue using a laser, however, specialized equipment is used for such a procedure, so its cost is much higher than the usual removal.

Non-invasive

With non-invasive laser therapy, the problem is solved without removing the overgrown tonsils. In this case, the laser helps to relieve inflammation and. In addition, with the help of laser irradiation, painful sensations go away, blood circulation improves, immunity is strengthened and tissue regeneration is accelerated.

Carrying out the procedure

Initially, it is necessary to rinse the nasal cavity with a saline solution to clear the tonsil area from accumulations of mucous and purulent discharge. The next stage is anesthesia is dripped into the nose. It can be either a regular solution of adrenaline, or vasoconstrictor drops or spray. Further, there is an impact on the adenoids with a laser. The number of pulses is determined by a specialist immediately before the operation. The light guide is inserted into each nostril in turn. Cauterization of adenoids with a laser is performed in a course of 7-15 procedures, one procedure per day. If necessary, the doctor prescribes a second course in 3 months.

Magnetic laser therapy gives excellent results. In this embodiment, the patient is treated with a specialized magnet, and only after that the laser is used to treat the nose and throat. This is a fairly new method of therapy used when neoplasms occur. Magnetic radiation provokes such changes during laser therapy:

The power of the beam is significantly increased;
The cells become more receptive, respectively, the effect is achieved faster;
The body's resistance increases;
Cell regeneration is accelerated;
Blood circulation improves;
The anti-inflammatory effect of laser cauterization is increased.

Contraindications

Despite the safety of using a laser for adenoids, there are a number of contraindications that the doctor should take into account when prescribing the procedure.

Increased body temperature;
Diseases of the hematopoietic system, especially non-coagulation and anemia;
Malignant and benign neoplasms in the field of laser application;
Abnormalities in the thyroid gland (hyper- and hypothyroidism);
Failures in the cardiovascular system;
Diseases of infectious etiology.

If no contraindications to laser therapy are found, you can safely proceed to the course of treatment.

Postoperative period

First of all, after therapy, it is necessary to take care of the patient's diet. If no complications are observed, it is enough to follow the diet for 10 days. In case of any deviations in the postoperative period, the duration of the diet is adjusted by the doctor. The diet should be well balanced and include only light food. It is advisable to grind and puree food. Rough and solid food is completely excluded from the patient's diet. In this case, the diet should be rich in vitamins and minerals.

Next, you need to remove overheating. The patient is forbidden to visit the bathhouse, sunbathe or simply stay in the sun for a long time, swim in hot water. Restrictions must be in effect for at least one week. Also, during this time, it is imperative to ensure the patient stay in cool rooms.

For two weeks after the operation, you need to minimize physical activity. Any sudden movements, jumping, running and other loads are prohibited. The period of compliance with physical rest can be extended by the doctor up to one month. If necessary, the doctor prescribes additional use of astringent and drying agents. For this purpose, the means that include iodine have proven to be excellent. In addition to the drying effect, they can speed up the healing process. Also, a doctor may prescribe a nasal lavage with special compounds.

Another important point is the readiness for possible temperature changes. Laser removal of adenoids in children can cause an increase in body temperature. In this case, it is necessary to use the antipyretic drug prescribed by the doctor. The main thing to remember is that the drug should not contain acetylsalicylic acid. This substance has the effect of thinning the blood, which can cause bleeding.

Frequent colds in a child, accompanied by nasal congestion and runny nose, may indicate the development of adenoiditis. A similar ailment is most often diagnosed among toddlers who attend preschool. How to deal with this problem? Currently, experts recommend using a laser. Let's take a closer look at what this method is and its effectiveness.

Adenoids - what are they?

At the junction of the pharynx and nose, a person has an amygdala, which is called the nasopharyngeal or adenoids. The organ itself is an area of lymphoepithelial tissue that forms the pharyngeal ring.

The main function of the amygdala is to "capture" pathogens that enter the body through the oral cavity, and the production of lymphocytes. It is developed mainly in young children and actively "works" during the formation of immunity. Why, then, can adenoids cause various pathological conditions? Let's try to figure it out.

The main reason for referring to the ENT is nasal congestion. In babies, a similar problem often develops against the background of the proliferation of tissues of the nasopharyngeal tonsil. This condition is called adenoiditis. Inflammation of the adenoids in children is usually a symptom of another disease, but in some cases they can become a separate and chronic problem.

Causes of pathology

Overgrowth can occur if the child has a hereditary predisposition associated with disturbances in the functioning of the lymphatic and endocrine systems. In addition to the increased risk of developing adenoiditis, such children have lethargy, constant fatigue, apathy - direct symptoms of thyroid pathologies.

If a child often suffers from colds, the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils simply does not have time to return to normal. Because of this, the adenoids are constantly in an inflamed state. A similar phenomenon is often observed in babies who attend kindergartens.

Regular contact with an irritant (allergen) also contributes to a constant inflammatory process in the nasopharyngeal tonsil.

What else can provoke an increase in adenoids? Komarovsky EO - a well-known pediatrician, to whose opinion the majority of modern parents listen, argues that adenoiditis can develop even when inhaling too dry air or overheating. If in the room where the child spends most of the time, the air parameters do not meet the recommended standards, it becomes more difficult for the baby to breathe through his nose. The overdried mucous membrane does not fulfill its task and begins to pass viruses and microbes, which then cause inflammation of the nasopharyngeal tonsil.

Symptoms

Some symptoms may indicate inflammation of the adenoids in children. Signs of ailment include:

persistent or recurrent nasal congestion, which leads to a deterioration in nasal breathing;
snoring occurs during sleep;
disturbed night sleep due to the fact that the child is forced to breathe through the mouth;
after sleep, there is a dry barking cough;
the child begins to squeak, his voice changes;
otitis media occur more often, hearing weakens;
deformity of the chest develops (in advanced cases);
the sense of smell worsens.

Diagnostics

To determine the degree of development of the pathological process and choose a method of therapy, a diagnosis will be required. Currently, otolaryngologists most often perform pharyngoscopy, anterior and posterior rhinoscopy. X-ray of the nasopharynx and video endoscopy can more accurately determine the degree of adenoiditis. After confirming the diagnosis, laser treatment of adenoids in children may be required. However, conservative treatment options can be tried first.

Treatment methods

At the initial and middle stage of the development of pathology, doctors recommend drug therapy aimed at reducing the size of the adenoids and strengthening the defenses of the child's body. EO Komarovskiy recommends treating adenoids as early as possible. Indeed, only in this case it will be possible to avoid serious consequences.

The most popular methods are rinsing the nasal passages, topical application of antiseptics, instillation of hormonal and vasoconstrictor drops. Physiotherapy will help to enhance the effect of drugs: heating, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis and laser therapy.

Laser application

One of the most common treatments for inflammation of the nasopharyngeal tonsil is laser therapy. This is a fairly effective method that belongs to the category of physiotherapy. avoids surgical intervention. Although, until some time, only the removal of the tonsils was considered the most rational option for therapy.

When using a medical laser, the overgrown lymphoid tissue of the nasopharyngeal tonsil is heated. This can be achieved due to the appearance of light flashes with different amplitudes. Light types of lasers allow you to transfer light energy to cells and accelerate blood circulation in tissues. The device has a decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial effect.

Indications for laser therapy

It is recommended to use a laser for adenoids in children only in cases where the disease is at the first or second stage of development. At these stages, this method of treatment can still have a positive effect. If the child is completely unable to breathe through the nose due to the enlargement of the tonsil in the nasopharynx, the doctor may recommend only surgical removal of the adenoids.

Up to the age of three, the procedure is prescribed for babies with any degree of hypertrophy of the lymphoid tissue of the nasopharyngeal tonsil. Exposure to laser radiation in such cases helps to significantly slow down the process of enlargement of the adenoids or completely prevent it and avoid further surgery.

Even the smallest children are treated with adenoids with a laser. This method has many advantages:

there are no painful sensations;
for the procedure, you do not need to go to the hospital;
the beam of the light device affects only the inflamed tissues;
manipulation leads to an improvement in metabolic processes, which contributes to a speedy recovery;
improves the absorption of drugs and enhances their effectiveness;
rehabilitation after the manipulation is very fast.

Laser pruning of adenoids

In children with severe development of adenoiditis, the ability to breathe through the nose may completely disappear. This, in turn, leads to cerebral hypoxia, impaired cardiac activity. Oxygen starvation leads to memory impairment, constant weakness, drowsiness.

There is a huge risk of respiratory arrest during sleep. Constant breathing through the mouth causes a change in the skeleton of the face and deforms the chest. In such cases, only the removal of adenoids in children with a laser is indicated. Reviews of the consequences of such a procedure are positive. For its implementation, specialists use high-frequency lasers, called in practice "surgical knives".

One of the common reasons for contacting an otolaryngologist is the proliferation of adenoid tissue in a baby. Vegetations make breathing difficult, weak and susceptible to infections. Laser treatment of adenoids in children is one of the modern methods of combating adenoiditis. Parents choose it because, compared to other methods of intervention in the oropharynx, the laser has a lot of advantages.

The advantages of laser intervention

Before the introduction of the laser into otolaryngological practice, the removal of adenoids was performed surgically. The doctor did local anesthesia and "armed himself" with a rounded knife, which made the little patient fearful. With the advent of the laser, the situation has changed - the child experiences neither fear nor pain during the procedure.

Let's consider all the advantages of a laser beam.

The effectiveness of laser therapy at the 3rd stage of adenoiditis. Overgrown tissue is difficult to remove, but not for a laser. The device copes equally well with both the initial stages of the disease and the advanced ones.
Painlessness and bloodlessness are two more reasons for choosing laser treatment. The patient is not afraid and does not create obstacles to performing medical procedures, the doctor does his job without hindrance. The therapy is quick and successful.
Laser treatment of adenoid tissue does not require long-term and serious rehabilitation.

Which children are suitable for laser treatment of adenoids

Therapy of small patients with a laser shows high efficiency at 1 - 2 stages of the development of adenoiditis. At 3-4 degrees of the disease, some experts consider laser treatment to be ineffective and insist on traditional knife surgery. But there are many cases when the beam emanating from the apparatus successfully coped with the disease passing through the 3rd stage of development.

Otolaryngologists advise children under 3 years of age to carry out modern laser treatment. Such an intervention allows you to postpone the surgical excision of vegetation. Experts say that sometimes it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathological adenoid tissue. This means that relapses will occur.

Contraindications innovative therapy for adenoiditis has the following:

anemia;
open tuberculosis;
circulatory problems;
thyroid abnormalities;
cardiovascular pathology.

How is the procedure

Elimination of adenoids is carried out according to the intranasal technique using a helium-neon laser. How long the session will last, the doctor decides on an individual basis, based on the severity of the pathology. In general, treatment takes place in two stages:

removal of inflammation, which helps to stabilize metabolism and restore immune cells;
prevention of repeated inflammation in the nasopharyngeal zone.

To remove mucus and pus, the baby is rinsed with saline before each procedure. Then the specialist inserts a light-emitting diode into the nose - this is necessary for precise, targeted performance of the procedure. If the treatment takes place in the form of a glow on the bridge of the nose, it will not be effective.

The child notes relief after the 1st procedure. But most doctors advise to come for repeated moxibustion of the problem tissue.

If adenoiditis is diagnosed in stages 2 - 3, repeated visits to the clinic may be required. But a responsible attitude will help prevent relapses.

Laser therapy of adenoids: rehabilitation

A child who has received laser treatment must give up increased physical activity, swimming pool, sauna or bath for 10 days. In terms of nutrition, it is recommended to switch to warm food without coarse, acidic foods. Laser therapy does not cause adverse reactions in children.

Nasal breathing returns to normal in all treated patients. One hundred percent efficiency rate makes this method popular in pediatric practice.

Do not be afraid if your doctor suggests getting rid of adenoids with a laser. The therapy has a coagulating effect - it excises the problem tissue and "seals" the blood vessels. This is done instantly when the beam comes into contact with the nasopharyngeal mucosa. In addition, the sterile beam prevents infection of the treated area.

Adenoids are an enlarged tonsil located in the pharyngeal region, on its back wall. Inflammation of the adenoids in humans indicates health problems; this ailment worries older people and children. In babies, inflamed adenoids appear at the age of 2 to 7 years and entail a number of consequences.

Constant companions of the adenoids are acute respiratory infections, severe cough and chronic runny nose, weakening of the immune system. A new effective method of treating adenoids in children - laser therapy - and let's talk about it in more detail.

Laser treatment - what is it?

Laser therapy in the treatment of adenoids in children (without cauterization) is an effective type of physiotherapy. It consists in heating the adenoid growths with a neon laser beam. Optical radiation is supplied in the infrared or red range. The radiation power is 60 mW. Pulse frequency - 50-1000Hz. The device has antiviral and antimicrobial properties.

There are 2 laser therapy techniques: stable and labile:

when stable, the emitter is fixed at one point throughout the entire procedure;
The labile technique consists in moving the emitter along the segments into which the irradiation zone is divided.

In the treatment of adenoids, a stable technique is used - the laser warms the tonsils. Thanks to this, local immunity is stimulated, puffiness is relieved, the process of tissue regeneration is accelerated, pain sensations are weakened.

Indications and contraindications for laser therapy

Prescribe laser therapy at stages 1 and 2 of the inflammatory process in the adenoids. At 3 and 4 degrees of the disease, doctors consider partial or complete removal of the tonsils. There are cases when the beam of the apparatus coped with the 3rd stage of the disease.

There are a number of contraindications to laser therapy:

acute infectious diseases accompanied by high fever
anemia, iron deficiency, poor clotting and other diseases of the circulatory system;
acute and chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system;
open tuberculosis;
thyroid problems;
tumors of all kinds.

Benefits of laser treatment

An important factor when choosing a laser therapy method for worried parents is that, unlike surgery, laser treatment does not require the doctor to have instruments (knives, scalpels, iron hooks) that scare children. An indisputable plus - the patient will behave more calmly during the procedure.

Other benefits of laser treatment include:

lack of pain during the procedure;
bloodlessness;
rapid recovery of nasal breathing;
complete elimination of the infectious process and inflammation;
local effect on the inflamed area;
operational improvement in the state of the body;
activation of local immunity;
acceleration of drug absorption;
the ability to undergo treatment outside the hospital (accordingly, you will not need to deal with the registration of a sick leave);
improved blood circulation;
laser treatment does not cause side effects.

How is the procedure for laser treatment of adenoids performed?

Before starting the treatment of adenoids with laser therapy, parents go through a number of studies with their child. First of all, the baby needs to be shown to the otolaryngologist.

The doctor must examine the little patient, exclude contraindications to laser therapy and give an opinion on the advisability of carrying out the procedure for treating adenoids with a laser.

The next step will be an x-ray or computed tomography of the sinuses. This will rule out or confirm the presence of sinusitis. If the disease is complicated by sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, it will be necessary to combine laser therapy with a course of antibiotics.

A prerequisite is a blood clotting test. The doctor must also prescribe a general blood test to exclude concomitant diseases, to assess the level of hemoglobin.

Immediately before the procedure, the child's nasal cavity will be rinsed with saline. This allows mucus to be removed from the surface of the adenoids. Then the baby's nose is instilled with vasoconstrictor drugs. A laser LED is inserted into the nasal passage and irradiated. It is important that the patient is stationary during the procedure.

The duration of the sessions and the number of manipulations depends on the age of the child and the degree of the disease. The average course of treatment consists of 10 sessions. To prevent the disease, repeated treatment is carried out (no earlier than a month later).

Rehabilitation after laser therapy

After a course of laser therapy, the child should be observed by the attending physician. The doctor is obliged to prescribe medication or homeopathic remedies. To avoid re-inflammation of the tonsils and edema of the mucous membrane, you should make sure that the little patient observes a number of rules.

First of all, for the first time (about 10 days), the child needs to avoid physical activity. Parents should try to replace active and active games with the baby with more relaxed activities. Swimming pool is not allowed.

Trips to the sea should be postponed during rehabilitation. It is not recommended for the child to sunbathe on the beach.
Lovers of medicinal saunas should also give up their hobby for a while. Of course, this also applies to bath procedures.
The baby's food should be warm or cool, drink cold. Do not eat rough, spicy and sour foods.

The appearance of adenoids, of course, is better to prevent than to cure. There are many methods to prevent this disease - prevention of influenza and acute respiratory infections, hardening, taking vitamins, proper nutrition, timely treatment of infectious and colds. However, if you have already encountered this problem, then you should opt for the treatment of adenoids with a laser.

Adenoids are a hypertrophied (enlarged) pharyngeal tonsil located at the back of the pharynx. Only a doctor can see her using a special mirror. Tonsils are accumulations of lymphoid tissue, the main function of which is to protect against all kinds of microbes. In the area of the pharynx, there are quite a few tonsils and smaller accumulations of lymphoid tissue.

The pharyngeal tonsil is the largest accumulation of this tissue and more often becomes inflamed, grows, turning into adenoids, which can threaten serious health problems. Adenoids appear in children between the ages of two and seven and provoke respiratory infections along with chronic rhinitis and cough. Adenoid growths can become inflamed. The inflammation is called adenoiditis. Laser therapy is an effective method of treating adenoids and adenoiditis.

Therapeutic effects and features of laser therapy

Good results are obtained by laser treatment of adenoids in children. The effectiveness is evidenced by the fact that after its implementation, it may not be necessary to remove the adenoids at all. This treatment is a type of physiotherapy associated with warming up adenoid growths with a medical laser beam, which has the following effects:

relieves swelling;
has antimicrobial action;
eliminates the inflammatory process;
reduces pain;
stimulates local immunity;
enhances tissue regeneration.

Indications and contraindications

The main indication for laser treatment is an increase in the child's pharyngeal tonsil of the first - second degree, that is, not very pronounced. Along with this, laser treatment of adenoids is indicated for children under three years of age in order to delay surgery. This is due to the fact that it is not always possible to completely remove adenoids in early childhood.

Contraindications:

Therapeutic effects and benefits of laser therapy:

restoration of nasal breathing;
painlessness;
complete elimination of inflammation and infectious process;
affecting the local area of inflammation;
improvement of blood microcirculation;
increased absorption of drugs, if used in combination with laser therapy;
acceleration of metabolism;
stimulation of local immunity;
rapid improvement in health;
out-of-hospital treatment.

Technique of laser therapy

Before starting laser therapy for adenoids, the following studies should be carried out in children:

Pre-wash the nasal cavity with a saline spray, removing mucus, discharge from the surface of the adenoids. Then anemization is carried out, that is, they cause local vasospasm of the vessels of the nasal mucosa. For this, vasoconstrictor drugs or adrenaline solution are used.

Laser therapy for adenoids is a painless procedure. The only difficulty is keeping the patient motionless. The laser light guide is inserted into the common nasal passage and the adenoids are irradiated. The duration of the sessions and their number depends on the age of the child. Doctors recommend using the laser for adenoids again (two to three times a year).

At the end of the course of laser therapy, it is recommended to continue treatment under the supervision of the attending physician with drugs, including homeopathic remedies. After laser irradiation for ten days, it is not recommended to go to a bath or a swimming pool; physical exertion should be avoided. You should not eat rough, acidic foods, and you should also refrain from eating hot or cold foods.

Scientists have proven that laser treatment of adenoids does not cause side effects. At the same time, it helps to restore breathing through the nose in almost 100% of sick children, and therefore this method is widely used in pediatrics.

Reduction of adenoids and prevention of adenoid growths

The adenoids not only make it difficult to breathe through the nose, but also block the mouths of the auditory tubes, which leads to a violation of the ventilation of the middle ear. As a result, his diseases (otitis media) may develop, leading to the formation of scars, adhesions, deposits of calcium salts. All this leads to irreversible hearing loss.

Large growths (third, fourth degree) are recommended to be removed promptly. Before removal, they must be treated, since the complete removal of large growths is not always possible, and new even larger adenoids can grow from the remaining particles.

Recently, techniques have appeared with the help of which it is possible to reduce the adenoids to their normal size, destroying pathological vegetations (growths) and without affecting healthy lymphoid tissue. One of them is laser reduction of adenoids (that is, reduction), which is an incomplete removal of adenoid vegetations, which can significantly reduce the size of the organ and alleviate the condition of the child.

With laser reduction, the inflamed tissue is evaporated and the capillaries feeding it are soldered. In this case, the remaining healthy lymphoid tissue will continue to function.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and lasts no more than 20 minutes.

Laser destruction of growths is also used, which is often performed by repetitively pulsed laser action on the adenoids at several points. There is a destruction of adenoid vegetation from the inside, which leads to their compaction and dystrophy. As a result of laser action, adenoid growths decrease, and the pharyngeal tonsil acquires physiological dimensions.

Ways to prevent the appearance of adenoid vegetations in children include:

The appearance of adenoid growths is easier to prevent than to cure. It is also necessary to minimize, as far as possible, the impact of adverse factors on the nasopharyngeal mucosa, contributing to inflammation of the adenoids, such as bruises and injuries of the nasopharynx; allergic reactions leading to irritation of its mucous membranes; acute respiratory illnesses; the negative impact of the medications used; unfavorable ecological environment. However, if removal is inevitable, then it is worth stopping the choice on laser intervention, due to its safety.