A randomized trial of local anaesthetic in treatment of quinsy.

A prospective randomized trial was undertaken in 30 adult patients with quinsy to determine the most efficacious method of local anaesthetic (LA) for aspiration, and incision and drainage of the abscess. Patients were randomized to receive either topical spray or spray and infiltration over the site of the collection. Pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale. Our results show, following analysis with Mann-Whitney U-test, a statistically significant lower mean pain scores for the infiltration group compared with the spray group during aspiration (P < 0.001), incision and drainage (P < 0.001), 30 min after incision (P < 0.01) and cumulative results during treatment (unpaired t-test P < 0.001). The authors recommend that infiltration be the method of choice of LA in aspiration and incision of peri-tonsillar abscess.