Tonsillitis, tonsillectomy, and deep neck space infections in England: the case for a new guideline for surgical and non-surgical management

Antibiotics or Tonsillectomy for Adult Recurrent Tonsillitis: Analyzing the Lesser of Two Evils

OBJECTIVE

To determine the best timing for surgical intervention for adults with recurrent tonsillitis (RT).

METHODS

A Markov model was constructed using variables and ranges based upon a literature review. A 1-way sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the number of yearly bouts at which each algorithm (antibiotics or tonsillectomy) would be favored. A Monte-Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analysis was calculated for gains and cost. Model outcomes were measured with quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) for tonsillectomy versus repeat antibiotic treatment.

RESULTS

Patients expected to sustain a single annual tonsillitis event will have a negative QALY of 0.02 if treated with surgery and those with 2 annual events will have a QALY gain from undergoing tonsillectomy of 0.01, 3 events = 0.03, 4 events = 0.05, 5 events = 0.07, 6 events = 0.09, 7 events = 0.1, and 8 events = 0.11. These gains became meaningful only after 2 years of recurrent bouts. The average cost of tonsillectomy was 3,238 USD, and the overall average cost of RT was 7,069 USD (an incremental cost of 3,831 USD). The ICER of tonsillectomy over antibiotic treatment for 1 QALY gain was 44,741 USD.

CONCLUSION

Adult patients who sustain more than 3 annual bouts of tonsillitis over a period of at least 2 years will gain QALY after tonsillectomy. These gains increase proportionally to the number of yearly events and perennial episodes. The incremental costs of tonsillectomy fail to meet the NICE guidelines but are within other acceptable reference ranges.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 134:2153-2161, 2024.

Blood, Sweat, and Tonsils: Bleeding After Abscess Tonsillectomy for Quinsy-A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Abscess tonsillectomy is performed during an active episode of quinsy. Apprehensions regarding an elevated bleeding risk have hindered its widespread acceptance. This study aims to assess the prevalence of post-tonsillectomy bleeding (PTB) associated with abscess tonsillectomy.

DATA SOURCES

A search was performed on August 27, 2023 in Medline, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases.

REVIEW METHODS

The systematic review was conducted in adherence to the PRISMA guidelines. Pooled PTB rate was determined using a meta-analysis of proportions. The JBI tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies.

RESULTS

Of the 525 search records, 18 studies met the eligibility criteria for final analysis. These comprised of retrospective single-center analyses. The pooled prevalence of PTB was 6.65% (95% C.I. 4.01-9.81), and the return-to-theatre rate was 2.35% (95% C.I. 1.48-3.37). There was no difference in PTB rate between unilateral and bilateral tonsillectomy. However, the bipolar technique was associated with a higher PTB rate compared to cold steel dissection. The overall quality of the body of evidence was moderate.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the complications associated with abscess tonsillectomy. These findings contribute valuable insights into this potential treatment option for quinsy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A Laryngoscope, 2024.

The assessment and management of deep neck space infections in adults: A systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis

OBJECTIVES

To summarise current practices in the diagnosis and management of deep neck space infections (DNSIs). To inform future studies in developing a framework in the management of DNSIs.

DESIGN

This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021226449) and reported in line with PRISMA guidelines. All studies from 2000 that reported the investigation or management of DNSI were included. The search was limited to English language only. Databases searched included AMED, Embase, Medline and HMIC. Quantitative analysis was undertaken with descriptive statistics and frequency synthesis with two independent reviewers. A qualitative narrative synthesis was conducted using a thematic analysis approach.

SETTING

Secondary or tertiary care centres that undertook management of DNSIs.

PARTICIPANTS

All adult patients with a DNSI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The role of imaging, radiologically guided aspiration and surgical drainage in DNSIs.

RESULTS

Sixty studies were reviewed. Thirty-one studies reported on imaging modality, 51 studies reported treatment modality. Aside from a single randomised controlled trial, all other studies were observational (n = 25) or case series (n = 36). Computer tomography (CT) was used to diagnose DNSI in 78% of patients. The mean percentage of management with open surgical drainage was 81% and 29.4% for radiologically guided aspiration, respectively. Qualitative analysis identified seven major themes on DNSI.

CONCLUSIONS

There are limited methodologically rigorous studies investigating DNSIs. CT imaging was the most used imaging modality. Surgical drainage was commonest treatment choice. Areas of further research on epidemiology, reporting guidelines and management are required.

Treatments and outcomes of adult parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscess: 1882 cases from a Japanese nationwide database

PURPOSE

Although parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscesses are potentially fatal deep neck abscesses, there is limited evidence for the treatment courses for adult patients with these abscesses. We aimed to describe the practice patterns and clinical outcomes of adult patients undergoing an emergency surgery for parapharyngeal or retropharyngeal abscesses using a nationwide database.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified patients aged ≥18 years who underwent emergency surgery for parapharyngeal (para group, n = 1148) or retropharyngeal (retro group, n = 734) abscesses from July 2010 to March 2020, using a nationwide inpatient database. We performed between-group comparisons of the baseline characteristics, treatment course, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Compared with the retro group, the para group was more likely to be older (median, 66 vs. 60 years; P < 0.001) and have several comorbidities, such as diabetes (21 % vs 16 %; P = 0.010) and epiglottitis (33 % vs. 26 %; P = 0.002), except for peritonsillar abscess (14 % vs. 22 %; P < 0.001) and tonsillitis (2.1 % vs. 13 %; P < 0.001). Regarding intravenous drugs administered within 2 days of admission, approximately half of the patients received steroids, non-antipseudomonal penicillins, and lincomycins. The para group received more comprehensive treatments, such as tracheostomy, intensive care unit admissions, and swallowing rehabilitation, within total hospitalization than the retro group. Moreover, it demonstrated higher in-hospital mortality (2.7 % vs. 1.1 %; P = 0.017) and morbidity (16 % vs. 9.7 %; P < 0.001), and longer length of hospitalization than the retro group.

CONCLUSION

The current nationwide study provided an overview of the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes for patients who underwent an emergency surgery for parapharyngeal or retropharyngeal abscess.

Coblation tonsillectomy versus laser tonsillectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated coblation versus laser (carbon dioxide and diode) tonsillectomy, with regard to various surgical and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Web of Science for relevant from inception until March 2021. We evaluated risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration Tool. We summarized the outcomes as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference/standardized mean difference (MD/SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). We conducted subgroup analysis based on the day of postoperative pain (day 1, day 7, and day 14) and type of postoperative hemorrhage (reactionary and secondary). In addition, we conducted subgroup analysis according to the type of laser.

RESULTS

Five RCTs were analyzed. Three and two RCTs were evaluated as having "some concerns" and "low risk of bias", respectively. Coblation tonsillectomy correlated with lower intraoperative blood loss (MD = -5.08 ml, 95% CI [- 7.33 to - 2.84], P < 0.0001) and lower operative time (MD = - 4.50 min, 95% CI [- 6.10 to - 2.90], P < 0.0001) compared with the laser tonsillectomy. However, there was no significant difference between both groups regarding the postoperative pain score (SMD = - 0.27, 95% CI [- 0.72 to 0.17], P = 0.27) and rate of postoperative hemorrhage (RR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.27-3.40], P = 0.23). Subgroup analysis reported similar insignificant difference between both groups according to the day of postoperative pain and type of postoperative hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Coblation tonsillectomy correlated with a significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss and operative time compared with the laser technique. Nevertheless, these effects do not seem clinically meaningful in surgical practice.

What is the natural history of patients waiting for tonsillectomy during a global pandemic?

There appears to be reduced symptom burden in those waiting for tonsillectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic Despite reduced symptom burden, most patients wished to go ahead with elective tonsillectomy COVID-19 infection does not appear to be a factor in those patients no longer wishing to have a tonsillectomy Patients should be reassessed during long waiting times to see if symptom burden has improved and if tonsillectomy is still required Due to long waiting times it is important to ensure information giving can be repeated to allow adequate informed consent given the morbidity of tonsillectomy.