Is VA curettage dangerous? When to cure VA for babies?

The article was professionally consulted by BSCK II Tran Thi Linh Chi - Head of Pediatrics - Neonatology Department, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Is VA curettage dangerous? When to cure varicose veins for babies?... are common questions asked by parents when doctors recommend VA curettage for children. Because the child has a cough and fever, taking antibiotics constantly makes parents worried, but if the VA is removed, it will affect the resistance later.

VA is an acronym from French: Vegetations adenoids of the lymphoid tissue (cells of the natural immune system) located in the nasopharynx. VA has an immune function, recognizing, capturing and producing natural antibodies against the invasion of harmful bacteria in the respiratory tract.
VA is especially effective in the age from 6 months to 4 years old, when children use up the natural antibody system inherited from their mother during pregnancy and start living with their own weak immune system.
VA occurs when the VA becomes infected by harmful bacteria.

Inflammation of VA in children is divided into 4 stages:
Grade 1: VA occupies less than 33% of the posterior nasal cavity. Grade 2: VA occupies from 33 to 66% of the posterior nasolabial space. Grade 3: VA occupies 66-90% of the posterior nasolabial space. Grade 4: The VA occupies all the posterior nasolabial space and spreads to the nasal fossa. Symptoms of VA: The enlarged VA occupies an area in the nasal passage, causing children to have prolonged stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, wheezing, snoring or more dangerously with apnea due to blocked nostrils. Usually treated with the use of a decongestant spray, rinsing the nose with saline, or an anti-inflammatory medication. However, after a while it reappeared.
VA is infected with complications such as persistent runny nose, colorless or yellow, green nasal discharge, often with fever. These signs are repeated over and over.
Cough lasts or heals again, causing hoarseness due to VA flowing down the respiratory tract causing laryngitis. Some children have digestive disorders because bacteria from VA enter the digestive tract causing abdominal pain, vomiting, and frequent diarrhea.

In fact, VA is not a dangerous disease. However, if the case of VA is infected with recurrent infections many times a year, they become an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Initially, when the baby is not serious or complicated, the baby will be treated with internal medicine, combined with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Perform nasal aspiration and rinse with physiological saline. The course of treatment lasts from 3 to 4 weeks.
Vaccination for babies is indicated when:
VA has recurrent infections (more than 5 times/year), each time lasting for a month, these times must be due to an accurate diagnosis from a doctor. Complications otitis media, bronchitis, laryngitis, sinusitis and causes digestive disorders, causing frequent diarrhea. The VA is too enlarged, causing prolonged nasal congestion, which does not help with medical treatment, sleep apnea in babies, difficulty swallowing and difficulty speaking. In this case, when the doctor will endoscopy, it will show that the VA is at levels 3 and 4. The VA has completely blocked the baby's posterior nasal passages. VA curettage is contraindicated in the following cases: Absolutely do not cure VA in people with blood-related diseases, severe heart disease, active tuberculosis. Temporarily contraindicated in case: Having acute infection of the nose and throat. Being infected with some viruses such as flu, measles, dengue fever... Patient has allergies, bronchial asthma, cleft palate, is taking or is vaccinated against epidemic.

VA curettage is not dangerous because it is a common and safe surgical technique. At the same time, it does not weaken the child's immune system. Because VA is just one of many immune cells in the baby's respiratory tract. In addition to the VA, there are many other immune systems such as the palatine tonsils, the tonsils at the base of the tongue, the tonsils in the eustachian tube, and many other innate immune systems located under the respiratory mucosa.

VA curettage is not dangerous when performed at a reputable medical facility
However, VA curettage can still be dangerous when performing surgery:
There is bleeding after curettage: This is a complication common in VA curettage. Bleeding in the curettage will occur heavily on the first day after curettage. Appears 5-7 days later, when the scaly coating covering the inflamed area peels off. Children who follow the doctor's regimen will be less likely to have this risk. Severe bleeding may require a blood transfusion if there is too much blood loss (rare).
It is possible to get an infection at the surgical site because the medical instruments are not sterile or because the doctor does not follow the doctor's diet after surgery.
Children with weak health may be allergic to anesthetics, causing them to have respiratory disorders.
Some children have a change in their voice because too much air is coming out of their nose. Some children have liquid or solid foods coming out of their noses. These cases are only short-lived. However, if this phenomenon persists for 4-6 weeks, it is necessary to see a doctor immediately for appropriate therapy.
The wall of the nose or mouth is partially or completely closed due to scarring, requiring re-surgery (extremely rare).
VA curettage is not too complicated and safe. However, to ensure safety and minimize the risk of complications during curettage, you should find a reputable medical facility with advanced infrastructure and a team of experienced doctors.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the prestigious medical addresses for many years in the examination and treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases, including VA. Customers who perform VA curettage at Vimec will be directly operated by good doctors. Experience the world's number 1 service in Vietnam.