Peritonsillar abscess - A review of 64 patients.

We reviewed 64 cases of peritonsillar abscess treated at our clinic between May, 1975 and March, 1988. The patients consisted of 42 males and 22 females, aged 3 to 68 years. The abscess was on the right side in 35 cases, on the left in 28 cases and bilateral in 1 case. Bacteriological study of the abscess revealed a high percentage of α-streptococcus and β-streptococcus in aerobic culture, and Bacteroides sp., Peptostreptococcus sp., and Peptococcus., in anerobic culture. All patients were treated with antibiotics. Removal of abscess by puncture was performed in 23 patients, and incision for drainage was perfomed in 41. Interval tonsillectomy was perfomed in 3 patients and immediate tonsillectomy was perfomed in 1 patient. Recurrent peritonsillar abscess was observed in one patient who had not undergone tonsillectomy. Puncture of abscess, incision for drainage and administration of antibiotics are essential in the treatment of peritonsillar abscess.