Management of Peritonsillar Abscesses in Adults: Survey of Otolaryngologists in Canada and the United States

David Forner, Christopher W. Noel, Amy Grant, Paul Hong, Martin Corsten, Vincent Wu, S. Mark Taylor, Jonathan R.B. Trites, Matthew H. Rigby

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The management of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) has evolved over time. We sought to define contemporary practice patterns for the diagnosis and treatment of PTA. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: The 15-question survey was distributed to members of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (CSO) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Methods: An iterative, consensus-based process was used for survey development. Primary outcomes were to determine methods of diagnosis and first-line treatments for PTA. Exploratory, secondary outcomes were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: The survey response rate was 12.6% (n = 1176). Most participants were attending staff (86%) in a community hospital setting (60%) and had been in practice for more than 20 years (38%). Most respondents (78%) indicated that at least half of the time, cross-sectional imaging had already been performed before they were consulted. Half of respondents (49%) indicated that they perform incision and drainage of the abscess as first-line treatment, while few (16%) provide medical management alone. In exploratory analysis, participants from the AAO-HNS had higher odds of imaging already being performed before consultation (odds ratio [OR], 11.7; 95% CI, 4.6-29.4) and increased odds of using medical management alone as a first-line treatment (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.2) compared to respondents from the CSO. Conclusion: There is wide practice variation in the diagnosis and management of acute, uncomplicated PTA among otolaryngologists in Canada and the United States. The use of cross-sectional imaging and medical management alone may differ between countries of practice.

Original languageEnglish
JournalOTO Open
Volume5
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Authors 2021.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Surgery

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Management of Peritonsillar Abscesses in Adults: Survey of Otolaryngologists in Canada and the United States'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this