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Article
October 1981

Peritonsillitis

Author Affiliations

Worcester, Mass

Arch Otolaryngol. 1981;107(10):651. doi:10.1001/archotol.1981.00790460063022

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Abstract

To the Editor.—The recent excellent review by Fried and Forrest of peritonsillitis in the Archives (1981;107:283-286) should help to lay to rest some of the myths surrounding the treatment of quinsy. Our experience may be of interest. We have found that peritonsillitis is frequently reversible with prompt medical management. It does not inevitably develop into a frank peritonsillar abcess. Since most of our patients have already been treated with oral penicillin V potassium, their throat cultures are unrevealing. We admit them to the hospital for a course of intravenous oxacillin sodium therapy in high dosages as well as for frequent warm saline throat irrigations. Approximately 75% of these patients experience prompt resolution of peritonsillitis. Only those who have frank abscesses or whose conditions do not clinically improve within 36 to 48 hours undergo incision and drainage. Those in the first group rarely had any pus on drainage; therefore, the

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