The PITA technique can help reduce risks

Because the microdebrider offers such a high degree of precision, control, and speed, the PITA technique can help lessen the risks normally associated with tonsil and adenoid surgery.

The main risks associated with a conventional T&A procedure are:

  • Dehydration (caused by severe postoperative pain)
  • Delayed postoperative bleeding
  • Temporary or permanent velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)
Dehydration and bleeding are the two main complications associated with traditional T&A surgery. Dehydration can occur when the pain upon swallowing is so intense that it inhibits normal drinking and eating.

Compared to conventional curette adenoidectomy and Radiofrequency tonsillectomy methods, the surgeon using the PITA technique has more control and can remove tissue more precisely. This helps lower the risk of dehydration and bleeding because the surgeon can limit the depth of tonsil tissue removal, resulting in less pain and postoperative complications.

According to a published clinical study by Koltai et al, only 1% of children whose surgeon used the PITA technique had to be readmitted to the hospital for dehydration, compared to 4% of children who had traditional surgery.

And only 1% of children whose surgeon used the PITA technique had to be readmitted to the hospital for delayed postoperative bleeding, compared to 4% of children who had traditional surgery.

Reduced risk of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)
Because the PITA technique allows the surgeon to precisely control the removal of tissue, it may also decrease the risk of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI).

VPI is a complication that can occur when the muscular opening between the back of the nose and throat is unintentionally injured during adenoid removal. This muscular opening is called the nasopharnygeal sphincter or Passavant's Ridge.

Temporary or permanent VPI can result when this muscle is damaged, a condition in which there is an excessive nasal sound to the voice. VPI can also affect normal drinking and eating by allowing liquids to flow into the nose from the back of the mouth.

Reduced risk from anesthesia
Using the PITA technique and the microdebrider, the surgeon can remove adenoid tissue more quickly than other techniques. This means that the surgery doesn't last as long, and helps reduce the general surgery risks associated with anesthesia. his is a technique that is truly going to revolutionize one of the most common operations we do," said Peter Koltai, MD, an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist at a children's clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

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What The Professionals Are Saying About PITA

"PITA reduces ear pain in tonsillectomy patients" - Cunningham.
Read more.

"PITA reduces post-op bleeding 76% and reduces dehydration 91% in adult tonsillectomies" - Gaslin.
 Read more.

"PITA reduces post-op bleeding complication by over 60%" - Reilly.
Read more.

"PITA reduces post-op bleeding and dehydration complications" - Koltai.
Read more.

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"This is a technique that is truly going to revolutionize one of the most common operations we do," states Peter Koltai, MD, a physician at a children's clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

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