905 - Tonsillectomy, Adenoidectomy, and Ear Tubes for Children

About this episode:

A recent MAHA report from the Department of Health and Human Services stated that a trio of common procedures for children—tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and tympanostomy tube (ear tube) placement—"cause harm without offering benefits." In this episode: a look at what these surgeries are, the advantages and risks, and what the report said—and didn't say—about the value of these procedures when properly indicated.

Guests:

Dr. Emily Boss is the director of pediatric otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins.

Host:

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.

Show links and related content:

• The MAHA Report: Make Our Children Health Again—The White House

• MAHA kids' health report misinforms about tonsillectomies and ear tubes—STAT (Opinion)

• Tympanostomy Tubes or Medical Management for Recurrent Acute Otitis Media—The New England Journal of Medicine

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