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What is the PITA technique?
How is PITA different?A different kind of tonsillectomy
A different kind of adenoidectomy
The result: less pain, faster recovery, fewer complications
Research shows PITA technique very effective in treating OSA
The PITA technique can help reduce risks
Articles about the PITA technique
Historically, a complete removal of the tonsils using traditional methods has been the most widely accepted treatment for conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea or chronic infection.
While this is generally effective and comparatively safe, conventional tonsillectomy techniques routinely cause substantial postoperative pain and a delayed return to normal diet and activity. This is believed to result from the complete removal of tonsil tissue, which leaves delicate throat muscles totally exposed to injury, infection, and inflammation.
But research has found that, in most cases, a near-complete (90 - 95%) removal of tonsil tissue, along with extensive removal of the adenoids, provides a safe and effective treatment, with significantly less postoperative pain and a faster recovery.
Using this theory, researchers have developed the PITA™ technique (Powered Intracapsular Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy).
How is PITA different?
Traditionally, a combined tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) procedure consists of a Radiofrequency tonsillectomy and a curette adenoidectomy. This is typically effective and relatively safe, but it is less precise and involves considerable postoperative pain.
The severe pain after a conventional T&A prolongs recuperation and can cause dehydration. The lack of precision can lead to a hypernasal voice. The complete removal of the tonsils can also contribute to delayed postoperative bleeding following a traditional T&A procedure.
The PITA technique utilizes a powered instrument called a microdebrider (pronounced "MI-cro-duh-BREE-der"). The microdebrider has a tiny rotating tip that offers the surgeon more precision and control than traditional tonsil/adenoid surgery tools.
This allows the surgeon to remove the maximum amount of obstructive or disease-causing adenoid tissue to treat the problem, while leaving a very small amount of tonsil tissue intact to protect the delicate throat muscles, decrease postoperative pain, and shorten the convalescent period.
A different kind of tonsillectomy
Conventional approaches routinely remove 100% of the tonsil tissue, which exposes the underlying throat muscles to bacteria, thermal injury, and inflammation. This is believed to cause the severe pain, slower recovery and higher rate of complications associated with traditional tonsillectomies.
With the PITA technique, the surgeon uses a microdebrider to precisely remove 90-95% of the tonsils. A thin layer of tonsil tissue is carefully left intact as a protective shield for the sensitive throat muscles, which helps reduce postoperative pain and recovery time. For more information, click here.
A different kind of adenoidectomy
With traditional adenoidectomy methods, it can be difficult to control the removal of adenoid tissue. If too much is removed, other nearby tissues may be injured and complications may ensue. If too little is removed, the adenoids may regrow and the disease return.
But the PITA technique offers precise control of tissue removal. The surgeon uses the microdebrider to remove the maximum amount of disease-causing tissue. At the same time, a very thin ridge of adenoid tissue (near the palate) is deliberately left in place to preserve nearby tissues from inadvertent damage. The precision of the microdebrider makes this level of surgical control possible. For more information, click here.
The result: less pain, faster recovery, fewer complications
For most patients, the PITA technique offers: less postoperative pain, a more rapid recovery and return to work or school, a faster return to a normal diet, and fewer postoperative complications. Less postoperative pain A conventional T&A completely exposes the vulnerable throat muscles to bacteria, thermal injury and inflammation, which increases swelling and pain. The pain may be so severe that it causes dehydration and inhibits normal drinking and eating. A curette adenoidectomy may also unintentionally damage the underlying muscle tissue, contributing to neck pain.
By leaving a thin layer of tonsil tissue intact and controlling the depth of adenoid tissue removal, the PITA technique protects the throat muscles, instead of exposing them. This greatly reduces the pain most patients experience after surgery.
More rapid recovery
Due to intense pain, a conventional T&A frequently requires seven to ten days of recuperation. But the recovery time with PITA surgery is typically 2.5 days. So children need less pain medicine and can go back to school more quickly.
Faster return to a normal diet
When the pain is very severe following a traditional T&A, children may not eat or drink normally until the pain subsides. Sometimes this can lead to dehydration that requires readmission to the hospital for intravenous fluids. Because there is less pain with the PITA technique, most children can return to normal eating and drinking soon after PITA surgery.
Fewer postoperative complications
The PITA technique offers precise control of tissue removal, which helps protect nearby tissues from unintended harm and reduces postoperative pain. Since the throat muscles are protected and there is less pain, children who have PITA surgery are less likely to experience postoperative complications such as dehydration, delayed bleeding and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Click here for more information.
Articles about the PITA technique
To read what some others have written about the effectiveness of the PITA approach, click on the links below.
AAO-HNSF: Partial Tonsillectomy For Sleep Disordered Breathing Promises Less Pain
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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. "PITA reduces post-op bleeding complication by over 60%" - Reilly. "PITA reduces post-op bleeding and dehydration complications" -
Koltai. Find-A-PhysicianTo find the ENT physician nearest you who performs the PITA™ technique, click here. |
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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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Did you know that OSA could be the underlying cause of ADHD in some children?Now there is evidence that obstructive sleep apnea may be the root cause of ADHD in certain children. Learn more. |
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