Peritonsillar abscess. A comparison of treatment by immediate tonsillectomy and interval tonsillectomy.

The generally accepted therapeutic regimen for peritonsillar abscess consists of the administration of parenteral antibiotics with incision and drainage followed by interval tonsillectomy in four to six weeks. Treatment by immediate tonsillectomy, however, is practiced widely in Europe and has received recent attention in the American literature. This report compares the clinical course of patients treated by interval tonsillectomy and immediate tonsillectomy. Patient morbidity was lessened by immediate tonsillectomy, since two separate surgical procedures were avoided, and the total period of hospitalization was reduced by nearly 50%. Advantages and disadvantages of both methods of therapy are discussed.