Article
Peritonsillar abscess – indication for tonsillectomy?
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Authors
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Gabriella Kecskés
- University of Szeged Department of ENT, Szeged, Hungary
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Patrice Tran Ba Huy
- Hopital Lariboisiere, Paris, France
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Herman Philippe
- Hopital Lariboisiere, Paris, France
| Published: | April 17, 2009 |
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Outline
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Introduction: The aim of this work was twofold: evaluate the actual recurrence rate of tonsillar or peritonsillar infection following peritonsillar abscess (PTA); and identify the factors which place the patient at risk of recurrence.
Methods: Retrospective study of 333 patients admitted in a tertiary ENT Emergency Centre in Hopital Lariboisiere with peritonsillar abscess between January 1999 and December 2000.
Inclusion criteria were: first episode of peritonsillar abscess, ascertained by positive aspiration or CT. Patients with history of abscess or interval tonsillectomy during or after the first episode were excluded. One hundred forty-six patients completed the inclusion criteria.Recurrence of the PTA or tonsillitis was evaluated by a questionnaire. 48 patients have completed the questionnaire, representing a 33% response rate.
Results: The study consisted of 26 males (54%) and 22 females (46%). The mean age was 32,31 years, ranging from 17 to 79 years. The mean follow up period was 5,4 years (4,1-7 years).
Recurrent PTA developed among seven patients (14,6%), four patients (8,33%) had one episode, three patients (6,25%) had 2 episodes of recurrence. The average delay was between the episodes of recurrence was 1,71 years (18 month-5 years). Among patients with positive medical history the recurrence rate of the PTA was remarkably higher (33,3%) than between patients without medical history (3.3%).
Conclusion: A 14,6% recurrence rate was evidenced, but with a considerable difference between patients with (33%) or without medical history (3.3%). This low rate which further suggests that indication for surgical treatment following PTA should remain minimal.
