title: [Peritonsillar abscess - smoking habits, preoperative coagulation screening and therapy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common problem in otorhinolaryngology. The pathogenesis, supporting factors and optimal therapy are matter of numerous investigations. We studied retrospectively smoking habits, preoperative coagulation screening and the applied therapy of PTA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 460 patients who underwent treatment for PTA between 2000 and 2009 at Dessau Medical Center were retrospectively analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest incidence of PTA was found in young men, the prevalence of nicotine consumption was clearly increased in relation to the general population. The therapy of first choice was abscess tonsillectomy. Even with preoperative pathological coagulation-parameters no increased risk of secondary bleeding was shown.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The part of smokers of patients with PTA is increased in comparison to the correspondent population of same age. A routine preoperative coagulation screening has a low benefit relating to the prediction of the risk of secondary bleeding. Abscess tonsillectomy is a safe method and has proved itself in clinical daily routine.
authors.affiliation: Städtisches Klinikum Dessau, Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Plastische Operationen, Dessau, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uhler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schrom
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knipping
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D055815:Young Adult