title: National audit of the management of peritonsillar abscess.
abstract: An anonymous postal survey of 200 consultants was used to audit the current prevalent practices in the management of quinsy in the UK; 101 responded. The findings reveal that on average an otolaryngology department treats 29 cases per year, the vast majority (94%) on an inpatient basis. The main initial treatment was needle aspiration combined with intravenous antibiotics. Interestingly, those departments treating more than 20 cases a year are more likely to use needle aspiration, while departments in England and Wales use significantly more incision and drainage than those in Scotland. Incision and drainage (52%) was the most common form of treatment of non-resolving patients. The median hospital stay was two days.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008485:Medical Audit; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000628:therapy*; D013396:Suction; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents