Quinsy tonsillectomy: A safe procedure

Book Description

Quinsy or peritonsillar abscess is the commonest neck space infection visiting ENT OPD.The standard modality of treatment practised is needle aspiration or incision and drainage of the abscess followed by interval tonsillectomy 4-6 weeks later.In our study we practised quinsy/hot tonsillectomy wherein we did immediate tonsillectomy for quinsy cases .Thereby reducing duration of hospitalization, cost of treatment and morbidity.During the procedure we didn't encounter any complication associated with procedure as given in the literature such as primary and secondary hemorrhage.Even the dissection of tonsils was found to be easier as compared to interval tonsillectomy. Hence it is a safe procedure which can be carried out easily without any complications.Our study is aimed at treating quinsy as a single stage,cost-effective procedure without requiring double hospitalization of the patient.

About the Author

Dr.Sandeep.S is working as assistant professor in the department of Otorhinolaryngology of JSS Medical College and Hospital, JSS University,Mysore for the past 3 years.He obtained his M.S ( ENT) degree from the same institution in the year 2007.Since then he is actively involved in departmental academic activities and clinical work.

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Quinsy Death

A comprehensive picture of the tonsils at the beginning of the attack threatened quinsy with silver nitrate solution, as recommended under the tonsillitis, may cut short the disorder. A single dose of calomel (3-5 points) is also useful for the same purpose. Tincture of aconite should be taken per day in three to five drop doses have been ingested, when the drug should no longer be used. Constant use of hot linseed poultice (as large as the whole hand and an inch thick, spread between thin layers of cotton and applied as hot as can be borne, and changed every half hour) to help more than anything else, and may possibly lead to trouble if the loss of work early enough . The use of poultices should be continued until recovery, although they need not be applied so frequently as at first. A surgeon's services are highly desirable in this disorder, as the initial puncture peritonsillar tissue can save days of suffering in affording out the pus to be formed.

Quinsy is different from tonsilitis the following: swelling of the affected area immediately surrounding the throat, no white spots will appear on the tonsils, tonsillitis but the problem starts as usual, there is intense pain on swallowing, and eventually an abscess near the tonsils in most cases.

Increased secretion of saliva, but do not swallow because of pain produced by the action. Sleep is also not possible, and altogether more piteous spectacle of pain and distress are rarely seen. Having reached this stage of inflammation usually continue with abscesses (forming the back or above or below the tonsils), and, after five to ten days of the initial attack, the pus finds its way to the surface of the tonsils, and break into the mouth with the help of unspeakable patients.

The event was followed by a rapid decrease of symptoms. Quinsy is rarely a dangerous disease, however, sometimes, it leads to obstruction in the throat which so many died from suffocation ensues unless the surgeon opens the throat and insert the tube. Sometimes the pus from the abscess ruptured into the larynx and cause suffocation.

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