After two children died from tonsils and/or adenoid surgery at McMaster Children's Hospital, the Hamilton hospital has suspended these procedures and is conducting.
Two Children Died After Tonsil and Adenoid Surgery
In a Wednesday afternoon issue, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), which manages the hospital, reported that one child died the day after surgery and another nine days post-surgery. "We extend our deepest condolences to these families," the declaration read.
As a preventative, the hospital has halted scheduled tonsil and adenoid surgeries for patients under 18. Although HHS declined an interview, they informed via email that the deaths occurred in May and this month.
The suspension began on Tuesday, and HHS noted that there is no apparent link between the two cases. A thorough review by external experts of their pediatric tonsil and adenoid surgery program is underway.
Emergency surgeries and all adult ENT operations will carry on, and the ENT Clinic will remain functional.
Tonsils and adenoids are lymph nodes situated in the back of the throat and nose. According to the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, adenoidectomy is a typical operation in pre-teen children, usually executed for concerns like longstanding nasal congestion, chronic infections, or obstructive sleep apnea.
Dr. Hamdy El-Hakim, an ENT surgeon at the University of Alberta, described the demises as "incredibly sad and incredibly rare," noting that the surgery is generally safe.
He emphasized the significance of identifying the precise cause of the demises and praised McMaster Children's Hospital for its discreet answers.
"Caution is necessary, but there's no need for panic," he said, asserting the safety of the surgery.
McMaster Children's Hospital has started contacting patients and families about the status of their scheduled surgeries and assisting those with questions to reach out to the HHS's Patient Experience department at patientexperience@hhsc.ca or 905-521-2100 ext. 75240.
McMaster Children's Hospital Pauses Tonsil and Adenoid Surgeries
McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton has paused scheduled tonsil and adenoid surgeries for patients under 18 after the current demises of two children after such operations.
While there occurs to be no relation between the two cases, the hospital is administering a comprehensive review of its pediatric tonsil and adenoid surgery program with external experts.
On this pause, only emergency tonsil and adenoid surgeries for those under 18 will be executed. The ENT Clinic procedures will continue alongside all adult ENT surgeries.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles has called for a provincial inspection into the demises, conveying deep concern and recommending that the government should act on existing approvals to enhance hospital situations.
Dr. Adil Shamji, Liberal Critic for Health, emphasized the strain on Ontario hospitals and possible staffing shortages as factors that could have added to the failure.
He highlighted the need for the hospital to get support for its inspection and for the Ministry of Health to follow up with a clear report on the findings.
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