ABSTRACT
To compare the efficacy of needle aspiration with incision and drainage in the management of Peritonsillar abscess. This study was carried out at Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department of Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital at Rawalpindi from August 2007 to July 2009. Total of 60 patients with diagnosed Peritonsillar abscesses were included in the study. They were divided into two groups A and B, each consisting of 30 patients. Needle aspiration was done in group [A] whereas patinets in group B were treated with incision and drainage. All the patients received the same parenteral antibiotics and analgesics. Patients were observed for reoccurrence of disease, fever, pain, oral intake, duration of stay in hospital. The mean age of patients in both groups was 20.7 [SD +/- 7.3] years. Four [13%] patients developed reoccurrence in group A after needle aspiration and were subjected to incision and drainage. Two of them again developed reoccurrence and required interval tonsillectomy. In group B, 3 [10%] patients developed reoccurrence after incision and drainage and all of them needed interval tonsillectomy. Twenty six [86.6%] patients in group A were afebrile at 24 hrs after treatment whereas in group B, 29 [96.9%] patients had no fever. Twenty five [83.3%] patients in group A were pain free at 24 hours while in group B, the number of pain free patients were only 16 [53.3%]. Seventeen patients [56.6%] in group A began to take solid diet at 24 hours while none had taken solid diet in group B after that interval. The duration of hospital stay in group A was 27.6 hours [SD +/- 15.1] while it was 76.9 hours [SD +/- 116.3] in group B. Needle aspiration is as effective as Incision and drainage in the management of peritonsillar abscess