Peritonsillar abscess: Incidence and current management

Authors

  • José Manuel Meléndez García Médico interno residente del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Hospital Xeral-Cíes
  • Miriam Ileana Hamdan Zavarce Médico interno residente del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Hospital Xeral-Cíes
  • Ana Sofia Araújo da Costa Médico interno residente del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Hospital Xeral-Cíes
  • Olalla Castro Macía Médico interno residente del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Hospital Xeral-Cíes
  • Dionisio Alonso Párraga Adjunto clínico del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Hospital Xeral-Cíes
  • Gumersindo Espiña Campos Jefe del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo, Hospital Xeral-Cíes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.173

Keywords:

tonsillitis, abscess, protocol

Abstract

Introduction: Peritonsillar abscesses are the commonest deep neck infections and are associated with significant morbidity despite the current use o antibiotics.

Material and methods: Retrospective study of 198 patients with peritonsillar abscesses diagnosed between 2004 and 2010.

Results: The incidence varied between 21 and 37 cases per year with a majority of 106 males, in the total. Ages ranged from 11 to 76 years-old patients and 51,5% of cases had positive history of alcohol consumption or tobacco smoking. Bacteriology showed a predominance of Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus and Stahphylococcus aureus.

Conclusions: From this study it is recommended that a management protocol, coverage to both aerobic and anaerobic agents should be implemented, as well as it seems not necessary to routinely harvest pus for microbiological tests.

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How to Cite

García, J. M. M., Zavarce, M. I. H., da Costa, A. S. A., Macía, O. C., Párraga, D. A., & Campos, G. E. (2011). Peritonsillar abscess: Incidence and current management. Portuguese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 49(3), 147–150. https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.173

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Section

Original Article