Some answers

[Tmatt80]

My son (14m) had his bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, and adenoidectomy today. Originally I was super irritated because the ENT said his tonsils and adenoids were ok back in november at the office. Then she later said that she saw huge adenoids, but I have a hard time believing what she said because in the office she said if they were huge she would skip the sleep study snd do surgery. Our pulmonologist didn't think it was all related to adenoids since it was so severe. My son has had a cold the past few days. They did the scope and took out large adenoids. They also found a mishaped epiglottis which they said he would eventually outgrow. I'm wondering if his adenoids were swollen because of his cold which the ENT said could be the case. Anyways, I hope this is the answer.
My question is...could either of these cause issues swallowing? Our OT and pulmo thought his issues with food (food/texture aversions, gagging, lifting chin to swallow, etc.) would resolve once the obstruction was resolved. I'm trying not to be a negative nancy, but adenoids just don't seem like the issue.

[LSAT]

We are not doctors and any answer you receive here would simply be someone's GUESS.

[Tmatt80]

Of course. Just wondering other experiences

[urn357]

My daughter had to have both tonsils and adenoids taken out on 2 separate surgeries(have no idea why they didn't get them both in one whack) when she was 2 and 3 years old. Anyway, hers always stayed swollen due to ear infections and colds. And yes swollen glands can cause issues swallowing. I would listen to the Doc's and stop worrying. That's just me.

[Thatgirl]

An adnoidectomy is a minimum surgery with a very low risk of major side effects, and in your son's case- a definite chance to help things. Will it solve all of his problems? Only time will tell that. But it may help, so it seems like a good place to start. I haven't missed mine

[kteague]

Hopefully this adenoid removal will result in at least a degree of improvement. I think I'd want a sit-down with the ENT, something like a conference appointment, not necessarily to see the patient. Here's the kinds of things I'd want to ask...

What is the exact term for the particular shape of his epiglottis? (There are different deformities.)
Can you point me to articles and pictures related to his specific problem?
At what age can he be expected to outgrow it?
Until he outgrows it, how could its shape affect his swallowing?
Can the abnormality of his epiglottis affect his breathing, and particularly in regards to OSA?

BTW, is the ENT he saw a pediatric ENT?

[ChicagoGranny]

Our OT and pulmo thought his issues with food (food/texture aversions, gagging, lifting chin to swallow, etc.) would resolve once the obstruction was resolved.

I have high hopes they are correct. Difficulty swallowing is actually a symptom of enlarged adenoids. And of course, the epiglottis is right there in the middle of every swallow, so I can imagine a misshapen epiglottis could cause a swallowing problem.

My son (14m) had his bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, and adenoidectomy today.

It sounds like that went well. Wishes for quick healing for the little guy.

[Janknitz]

I guess you'll have to see. I would ask for a follow up sleep study after a reasonable time for healing from the surgery, especially if his sleep doesn't improve.

How is he sleeping now?

[Tmatt80]

Last night was horrible. Still having apneas plus drainage from the surgery, I suppose. They said it could take weeks to see improvement. Who knows!
They are going to do a repeat sleep study. We will discuss that at our 6 week appt.
I was just so hoping for even a bit of immediate improvement.
Yes the ENT was a pediatric ENT. She gave us pictures and told us the name (I guess it's a form of laryngomalacia). They said that most kids have outgrown it by now and it totally varies when he would grow out of it. IF he's still sleeping horribly at his 6w appt, we will reevaluate the need for a further surgery.
I know to them 6 weeks is nothing, but to us to live this hell for another 6 weeks is just disheartening. I guess he could still get better, but the ENT said she expected some immediate improvement. I understand they need to wait 6 weeks to give him enough time to heal and for us to reevaluate the situation....im just tired

[Janknitz]

I can imagine you are way more than "just tired". Hang in there and as he heals you may see some improvement.

Keep us posted. Be kind to yourself!