Peritonsillar Abscess Treatment under Local Anaesthesia: Incision and Drainage versus Needle Aspiration

Background: Peritonsillar abscess is usually complication of acute tonsillitis which itself is prevalent in society. As a general surgical principle, abscess any were, has to be drained so same applies for quinsy but methodology for this drainage is not being agreed. Aim: To find best modality for drainage of this abscess and see its incidence in which age group and sex. Study design: Prospective study Place and duration of the study: Department of ENT, Rai Medical College, Sargodha from 1st Feb. 2017 to 31st Jan. 2019. Methodology: One hundred and thirty five patients above 15 years of age and those in need of hospital admission due to severity of symptoms were included. Paediatric, immunocompromised, requiring general anesthesia and acute tonsillitis patients were excluded. Results: There were 65.2% males and 34.8% females. Commonly affected age group was 21-40 years. Needle aspiration was found more effective for management of peritonsillar abscess. Conclusion: No consensus for single modality and both needle aspiration and incision/drainage is advocated and needle aspiration proved fruitful in management. Keywords: Quinsy, Peritonsillar abscess, needle aspiration