Agerhäll M, Larsson S, Tano K, Berggren D. High rate of early recurrence of peritonsillar abscess among adolescents and young adults.
Acta Otolaryngol 2023;
143:602-605. [PMID:
37452657 DOI:
10.1080/00016489.2023.2225555]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) can be treated with aspiration or incision for drainage, but a subsequent PTA can occur if tonsillectomy is not performed. Better understanding is needed of when tonsillectomy should be performed to avoid PTA recurrence.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the recurrence rate of PTA following aspiration or incision for drainage and evaluated the risk factors for recurrence.
METHODS
The medical records of 292 patients treated for PTA were reviewed. Recurrence of PTA and elective or quinsy tonsillectomy were the primary endpoints. A Cox proportional hazards regression model for PTA recurrence was constructed with sex, age, and PTA history as predictors.
RESULTS
Young age was the only significant predictor of PTA recurrence. Patients aged 15 to 24 years had a 30-day recurrence rate of 15.5% and a total recurrence rate of 26.6%. The total recurrence rate among patients over 30 years of age was significantly less at 4.0% (Fisher's exact test, p < .05).
CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE
Based on our results, tonsillectomy should be considered for PTA patients between 15 and 25 years of age and, to effectively avoid future recurrence of PTA, should be performed urgently.
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