Pediatric peritonsillar abscess: Quinsy ie versus interval tonsillectomy

Quinsy versus interval tonsillectomy.

Case series with chart review.

We reviewed the records of children treated for peritonsillar abscess between 2007 and 2011 at an academic tertiary pediatric hospital. We identified patients by searching the hospital database for all children treated for the ICD-9 code 475 (peritonsillar abscess). Data points extracted included length of stay, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, and incidence of complications. Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant differences between treatment categories. Children who never received a tonsillectomy (CPT codes 42820/42821/42825/42826) were excluded.

34 children received tonsillectomy for peritonsillar abscess from 2007 to 2011. Of these: 23 received a Quinsy tonsillectomy, and 11 received antibiotics with or without incision and drainage, followed by tonsillectomy a minimum of 2 weeks later. Total hospital days in treatment course was 2.2 days for Quinsy tonsillectomy group and 2.3 days for the interval tonsillectomy group. Estimated blood loss was less than 20 ml for both groups. Operative time was 38 min for Quinsy tonsillectomy and 39 min for interval tonsillectomy. There were no post-tonsillectomy hemorrhages. One patient in the interval tonsillectomy group required readmission for dehydration.

There were no significant differences in total hospital days, blood loss, operative time, or post-operative complications between Quinsy tonsillectomy and interval tonsillectomy in the treatment of pediatric peritonsillar abscess.