NEEDLE ASPIRATION AN EQUAL TO INCISION AND DRAINAGE IN MANAGEMENT OF PERITONSILLAR ABSCESS

Abstract

Objective: To compare needle aspiration with incision and drainage in treatment of Peritonsillar abscess.
Design: Randomized Control Trails.
Place and Duration: Department of ENT CMH Peshawar from 28th October 2009 to 1st November 2010.
Patients and Methods: Fifty patients of either gender presenting with peritonsillar abscess for the first time were randomly divided allocated into two groups A and B. Group A underwent aspiration of pus on day 0 followed by reaspiration on day 1 and 2 if required. Group B underwent incision and drainage and evacuation of pus on day 0 followed by repeat drainage on day 1 if required.
Results: In about 72% of cases single needle aspiration was curative while 24% required two and 4% required three aspirations in group A. While in group B 80% of patients were cured with single sitting of incision and drainage and 20% required second sitting of drainage. This difference was statically insignificant (p=0.550).
Conclusion: Needle aspiration is as an effective method as incision and drainage for management of peritonsillar abscess.