Peritonsillar abscess: a comparison of a conservative and a more aggressive management protocol

A two-year prospective study was undertaken to compare acute treatment modalities for peritonsillar abscesses. The most widely used modality, incision and drainage, with subsequent hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics and hydration, was compared with incision and drainage, with subsequent oral antibiotics and oral hydration. The results in 27 randomized patients showed no difference in morbidity, recovery time, or recurrence rate between the two groups. The authors conclude that initial incision and drainage, and oral antibiotics, is an effective, safe and less expensive treatment modality for peritonsillar abscesses. These results suggest that with a compliant patient population, peritonsillar abscesses may be effectively treated in an outpatient setting.