Incision and drainage of peritonsillar abscess: emergency ENT care

Intolerable, “throbbing” pain in the throat (most often on one side), radiating to the ear, inability to swallow even one’s own saliva, and difficulty opening the mouth — these are critical symptoms of a peritonsillar abscess. This acute purulent process is a dangerous complication of tonsillitis or chronic tonsillitis, and it requires immediate surgical intervention.

Otolaryngologists at St. Luke’s Clinic provide fast and highly professional assistance. Surgical incision and drainage of an abscess in our clinic brings the patient instant relief and protects against life-threatening consequences.

What is a peritonsillar abscess and why is it dangerous?

A peritonsillar abscess (phlegmonous tonsillitis) is the formation of a cavity filled with pus in the loose tissue around the palatine tonsil (glands). Most often, it develops 3–5 days after the onset of ordinary tonsillitis, when the infection breaks through the protective barriers of the tonsil and goes deeper.

Why is delay extremely dangerous?
A pus pocket in the throat cannot be “rinsed out” with herbs or treated with antibiotics alone. If it is not opened in time, the pus can break through not into the oral cavity, but deep into the neck. This threatens the spread of infection into the mediastinum (chest cavity) or the development of sepsis (blood poisoning), which poses a direct threat to life.

When should you urgently go to an ENT doctor?

Contact St. Luke’s Clinic immediately if you experience the following symptoms along with a sore throat:

• Sharp, unilateral increase in throat pain.
• Trismus of the masticatory muscles: you find it difficult or impossible to open your mouth wide (symptom of jaw muscle spasm).
• Inability to swallow (saliva drips from the corners of the mouth).
• Nasal, “hot potato” voice (as if there is a hot potato in the mouth).
• High body temperature (38-40°C), severe weakness, chills.
• Forced head position (the patient tilts their head to the affected side to reduce pain).

How is abscess incision and drainage performed at St. Luke’s Clinic?

We understand that you are exhausted by pain and intoxication, so we act as quickly, accurately, and with care for your comfort as possible.

1. Anesthesia: The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. The doctor generously treats the inflamed area with an anesthetic spray, and then makes a microinjection of an anesthetic drug. This minimizes pain during the manipulation.
2. Incision: Using a scalpel, the ENT surgeon makes a small incision (about 1-1.5 cm) at the point of greatest bulging of the pus pocket.
3. Drainage and cleaning: With a special instrument, the doctor expands the edges of the incision to release all the pus. The cavity is thoroughly rinsed with antiseptic solutions.

Main result: As soon as the pus comes out and the pressure in the tissues drops, the patient feels phenomenal, instant relief. The temperature immediately decreases, the pain subsides, and the ability to open the mouth and swallow returns.

Rehabilitation and further treatment

After the abscess incision and drainage, you do not necessarily have to stay in the hospital. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. However, you will need to come to the clinic for the next 2–3 days for “wound edge separation” to ensure that all pus is drained and the wound does not close prematurely.

For complete recovery, the doctor will definitely prescribe:

• A course of antibiotic therapy (strictly according to schedule).
• Regular gargling with antiseptics.
• A soft diet (food should be at room temperature, without hot spices, in the form of purees or broths) to avoid irritating the throat.

A peritonsillar abscess is an acute condition that does not tolerate delays! At the first alarming symptoms, immediately seek professional surgical ENT care at St. Luke’s Clinic.