Peritonsillar Abscesses: A Prospective Study

Abstract

At the recent Triological Society Eastern Section meeting, Dr Debra Freehling and colleagues, Menlo Park, Calif, presented a prospective analysis of 50 patients who suffered peritonsillar abscesses. The patients were studied to see if their subsequent courses and prior histories justified tonsillectomy. Thirty-three patients were followed up for two years, and 17 patients were excluded due to lack of follow-up. Twenty-three patients were treated only with incision and drainage and antibiotics. Eight patients underwent immediate tonsillectomy for treatment of the abscess, and two patients underwent interval tonsillectomy after recovering from the abscess. During the follow-up period, 79% of the patients had one culture-positive sore throat. Sixty-one percent had one sore throat in the year prior to their abscess. Two patients developed a recurrent peritonsillar abscess during the follow-up period. The authors also looked at the average cost per patient of the illness and its treatment. They found an average cost