Peritonsillar Abscess: Needle Aspiration

Abstract

Needle aspiration and antibiotics (usually penicillin) were used as the sole initial treatment of peritonsillar abscess in 29 patients over a 2 1/2-year period. Positive aspirations occurred in 23 patients, 19 (82%) of whom had complete resolution of their abscesses without further initial therapy. The implications of these findings are discussed.