Hamilton’s McMaster Children’s Hospital to resume tonsil surgery after review into deaths

McMaster Children’s Hospital says it will resume tonsil and adenoid surgeries next week, almost four months after two children died following the procedure.

Hamilton Health Sciences says that an external review launched in June did not find any specific issues that directly or indirectly led to the deaths.

Pediatric tonsil and adenoid surgeries were paused at the institution on June 4 after one child died the day after surgery and another died nine days after their procedure.

The chief of pediatric surgery at McMaster Children’s Hospital called the deaths “tragic” and “very rare” in June.

The hospital is in the process of scheduling surgeries that were postponed by the pause.

Surgeries will resume October 7.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2024.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press