Immediate tonsillectomy: indications for use as first-line surgical management of peritonsillar abscess (quinsy) and parapharyngeal abscess

Abstract

Immediate tonsillectomy appears to be a safe and effective surgical technique for the management of peritonsillar and parapharyngeal abscess; in particular, it markedly reduces patients' hospital stay (when performed early in the course of the disease) and duration of antibiotic therapy. Immediate tonsillectomy has become the first-line treatment for parapharyngeal abscess and several types of peritonsillar abscess in our department.

Hot or Immediate Tonsillectomy: A Safe and Effective Method for Treatment of Acute Tonsillitis’ Complications

“…14,16 In the group of patients analyzed in the study, most patients were young adults aged from 21 to 40 years old who are professionally active people. These data are consistent with those from the literature 2,3,[5][6][7]12 and that makes problem of PTA treatment economically important. The symptoms reported by patients were typical for throat infections.…”

“…Johnson 6 suggested that if there is delayed tonsillectomy following abscess, this may be connected with higher costs of treatment as it may require another hospitalization and absence at work. The same author recommends hot tonsillectomy in all patients with recurrent PTA, 6,7 as it may prevent recurrences. 2,12 It is still controversial if this tonsillectomy should be performed on one side only or if it should be performed bilaterally.…”

“…1,2 Factors predisposing to the development of peritonsillar abscess described in the literature are bad periodontal status and smoking. 2,3 Treatment is always connected with an abscess incision, drainage of purulent content, re-hydration [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] with subsequent antibiotic therapy. In some cases, it is necessary to perform immediate tonsillectomy.…”

Peritonsillar abscess: Treatment with immediate tonsillectomy – 10 years of experience

“…Peritonsillar abscess is the most common deep neck space infection [1]. In most cases it is a complication of a streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis, in which the inflammatory process spreads to the peritonsillar space.…”

Who ends up having tonsillectomy after peritonsillar infection?

“…That way the patient avoids multiple sick leaves and hospital costs might fall. Both society's health care system and the patient save time, expense and discomfort [8,9].…”