[Treatment of peripharyngeal abscesses by means of intra-oral puncture-aspiration and drainage].
BACKGROUND
Parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscesses are life-threatening infections, with a much lower incidence since the advent of antibiotics. However, they still represent a considerable number of emergency visits to reference centres where they are managed with various protocols to improve both morbidity and mortality.


METHODS
Medical records of 25 consecutive patients at our institution (17 adults and 8 children) diagnosed and treated with the same protocol for peripharyngeal abscess were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
All cases were managed using a minimally-invasive intra-oral approach, with resolution of the clinical findings and symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Puncture with intra-oral aspiration and/or drainage of peripharyngeal abscesses is an effective option instead of the external approach.
Benaixa
Juan Pedro
JP
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología., Hospitales Universitarios Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, España. pedrobenaixa@tiscali.es
González-Pérez
José María
JM
Rodríguez Sola
Mercedes
M
Moreno Luna
Ramón
R
Rando
Ismael
I
Esteban
Francisco
F
D000038:Abscess / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011677:Punctures; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction