Management of peritonsillar abscess

Abstract

To attempt to determine the appropriate management for peritonsillar abscess (PTA) and recurrences, we retrospectively analyzed 337 PTA and recurrent PTA, referred to our department between 1995 and 2002. Of the 205 patients treated surgically; needle aspiration was performed in 52 (15%), incision and drainage in 108 (32%), immediate abscess tonsillectomy in 42 (12%), and neck incision in 3 (1%), and 69 patients (20%) were treated medically with antibiotics alone. Interval tonsillectomy was performed in 39 patients (12%). Among 106 patients who did not undergo tonsillectomy, PTA recurred an average of 2.0 months after recovery from previous PTA. Patients not treated by tonsillectomy should be carefully followed for at least 3 months. Abscess or early interval tonsillectomy should be considered in PTA patients under 40 years old, because they have a high rate of recurrence of PTA.