(adding to a previous reply to another post...)
 
Hi,

I have been reading up about T&A's. Did anyone have the technique called "PITA?"

My daughter recently saw an ENT and he recommended a T&A based on her large adenoids (3+?), fatigue, snoring and bed-wetting.
I've read PITA is supposed to cut down the recuperation time, but it sounds sort of new. Was just curious how widespread it it and
if only certain docs do it, etc.

I have to have a second consult with the ENT to go into more detail, but was just curious about opinions.

He was not recommending a PSG because of her age, although the symptoms seem consistent with OSA.

Any advice is appreciated on results of T&A. I'm pretty nervous after reading some of the stories.

Thanks,
Jenny

Hi Jenny, I have personally worked for ENT Drs. for over 5 years.  Our Drs. have looked at this surgery and decided it was not for them.  Let me explain some about how they make that detirmination.  Like any other field of business they are contacted by sales reps.  They try new surgical equipment and acutally are allowed with the hospitals persmission to go into surgery and have there product used and instruct the Dr. on the proper way to do so.  

After just watching the procedure videos all 3 of the guys I work for said no.  This would not have been an expense for them but for the hospital, so the money amount did not play into question.  

As for you daughter having the size Adneiods she does, she would have a form of apnea.  Most insurance companys have decided not to even pay for the procedure unless they are the size of your daughters.  Im sure you have witnessed the apnea and even a very messed up bed in the am.  She is struggling for air when she sleeps.  Tonsils will cause this also.  The procedure you are questioning I would say is not widely used.  Unless it will benefit the patient and pose a less risk , no Dr would choose that over the normal T&A procedure. Your child will actually bounce back alot quicker than say a 18 year old patient.  Like with age any surgery is much easier on a child. I do belive its tougher on the parents having to deal with the thought there child needs surgery than the acutal surgery will take.  Good luck in your quest in finding a Physican to perform this procedure but remember, ENT Drs. are much more skilled at the regular T&A procedures and know what to expect.

As for the recovery time most Dr.s will ask that the patient remain within the area for 2 weeks.  This is incase of a problem.  Im sure some of the horror stories you have seen are about a post Tonsillar bleed.  This will occur 7-10 days after the surgery if it is going to happen.  In our office personally I have never seen a child brought in for this problem.  Teenagers over 18 or adult patients going back to there daily activitys to soon or exertion such as excercise.  

Children seem more to (milk) there parents for all they can get HA! .  Perhaps they are the smart ones.  She should be given liquid pain medications for the pain afterwards.  Cool drinks with no fizz or citrus juice. Ice Pops, pudding, icecream are good things to give them following this.  Then after a day or so you can  try mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese.   Im sure they will not limit her on what she can eat but advise you on more  tolerable things going down.  We had one child  acutally eat pizza and chicken nuggets afterwards.  

I hope I have helped the best way I can.  Good luck with this she will be fine.

Vickie

Vickie



Last edited by Vickie535 on Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:44 pm; edited 1 time in total

That helped. My instinct is that T&A is the right thing for her.
Although she has always done great in school, she says she's tired a lot.
She's probably most optimistic and hopeful that it will help her stay dry at night. (she's 7
and her identical twin sister was dry before age 3)

She's actually looking forward to the surgery now. I just hope the
pain is tolerable and she feels better soon.