Permucosal needle drainage of peritonsillar abscesses. A five-year experience.
Forty-one patients with proved peritonsillar abscesses were treated during a five-year period with needle aspiration as the sole initial surgical treatment. Ninety percent (37/41) of the patients' abscesses resolved without further invasive therapy. All but two of the patients were treated as outpatients. Fifty percent (21/41) of the patients were treated by nonotolaryngologists. These data indicate that outpatient needle aspiration is the simplest, most cost-effective therapy for peritonsillar abscess.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010045:Outpatients; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents