Peritonsillar abscess treated with puncture and aspiration--a prospective 3-year follow-up
Jakobsen, M.H.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 155(43): 3480-3482
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 8256340 Document Number: 407787
Forty-one selected patients were treated with needle aspiration for peritonsillar abscess in our department in 1988. Two patients were treated with quinsy tonsillectomy secondary to needle aspiration, because of failure of treatment. The follow-up group consisted of 39 patients and the median follow-up time was 38 months (range 36-44 months). There were three recurrences of the abscess, and one patient had recurrent tonsillitis subsequent to discharge. The rate of recurrent tonsillitis/abscess among patients younger than 30 and 40 years was respectively 21% (4/19) and 14% (4/28). The rate in the corresponding older age groups was 0%. The overall recurrence rate was 10% (4/39). Needle aspiration is suggested as part of a selected strategy of treatment.