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.
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.
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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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
