Peritonsillar abscess in spite of adequately performed tonsillectomy

We describe a rare case of peritonsillar abscess in a woman, in spite of an adequately performed tonsillectomy 35 years earlier. Cultures from aspirated pus yielded a heavy growth of Streptococcus milleri and Bacteroides species. No remaining tonsillar tissue could be seen. We conclude that a peritonsillar abscess might develop in spite of adequately performed tonsillectomy.