COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF NEEDLE ASPIRATION VERSUS INCISION AND DRAINAGE IN MANAGEMENT OF PERITONSILLAR ABSCESS

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of needle aspiration versus incision and drainage (I & D) in management 
of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in terms of recovery period and recurrence rate. 
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. 
Place and Duration of Study: Otolaryngology departments, Combined Military Hospitals, Rawalpindi and 
Multan, from January 2011 to January 2013. 
Material and Methods: Using World Health Organization sample size calculator, a calculated sample of 60 
subjects was divided into two equal groups. One group underwent needle aspiration and the other group
underwent I & D for PTA. The groups were compared for recovery period and recurrence using independent 
samples t-test and Fisher’s Exact test respectively calculated through SPSS version 20. A p-value <0.05 was 
considered significant.
Results: The mean recovery period was 3.5 ± 1 days for the I & D group and 3.6 ± 1 days for the needle 
aspiration group (p=0.64). Recurrence rate with I & D was 6.7% and with needle aspiration was 13.7% (p=0.67).
Conclusion: Both needle aspiration and I & D are satisfactory surgical options for the treatment of PTA with 
no significant difference in clinical outcome. However, needle aspiration has an advantage over I & D in terms 
of minimal morbidity and its ease of performance