Cranial tonsillotomy for peritonsillar abscess: what a relief!

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common infection of the oropharynx resulting in painful swallowing, sometimes associated with fever, trismus and a typical voice alteration. Several draining methods have been suggested, including needle aspiration (NA), incision and drainage (ID), or abscesstonsillectomy. However, a gold standard of surgical therapy still does not exist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome in patients who had undergone ID supplemented by cranial tonsillotomy (IDTT) as first-line treatment. A retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone IDTT at our department in 2015 was performed. Demographic data, clinical findings, pain intensity on a 10-point visual analog scale, operation time and routine bloods before and after IDTT were collected. In addition, a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) was utilized to measure personal satisfaction 2 weeks and 2 months after surgery. A total of 104 procedures were performed in 65 male and 38 female patients (median age 35 years), including one patient with a contralateral PTA 2 weeks after IDTT. Three patients had experienced abscess formation after admittance for antibiotic treatment of acute tonsillitis. 57.7 % of all patients denied intake of antibiotic therapy in their history at initial presentation. Patients were hospitalized for 3 days (median). The median pain intensity (VAS) within the first three postoperative days was 2, 1 and 1, respectively. Two weeks and 2 months after surgery patients were highly satisfied with the procedure (median value 10). Bleeding complications did not occur. IDTT is a novel surgical concept and associated with great patient comfort. It is safe, easy to learn and associated with an early return to normal diet and physical activity. These findings are supported by a rapid normalization of white blood cell count and C-reactive protein. IDTT eliminates the necessity of painful re-draining of the wound cavity and is free of bleeding complications. In contrast to ID and NA, histological examination of tonsillar tissue is feasible to disclose a previously undetected malign disease. Further analysis is warranted to verify the success rate in the long-term.