To determine the history of previous tonsillitis in patients admitted with quinsys or parapharyngeal abscesses.
 
Background: Despite an increasing population the number of tonsillectomies performed in England per head of population has reduced by 6.8% but the number of admissions for tonsillitis increased 181% from 2003-2013.1

Objective:  To determine if patients admitted with quinsy or parapharyngeal abscesses (PPA) had a history of tonsillitis warranting earlier tonsillectomy thereby preventing these admissions. 

Method:  Patients admitted to district general hospital under ICD10 code from March 2014 to March 2017 were identified.  Information regarding the admission and  previous tonsillitis was obtained from reviewing the hospital notes and telephone interview with the patients.

Results: Tables 1 to 3 show results in 41 eligible patients with complete data.
 
 

Conclusions:  Two patients met NICE criteria for tonsillectomy prior to admission. 2  79% Patients with quinsy had had tonsillits. 26% had quinsy in previous year. Patients may benefit from tonsillectomy after one quinsy.  Recurrent tonsillitis does not contribute to the development of PPA.
 
References
 
1.Millington AJ, Phillips JS  Current trends in tonsillitis and tonsillectomy  Ann R Coll Surg Eng 2014; 96:586-589

2.NICE Guidelines based on  2010 Guideline 117:Management of sore throat and indications for tonsillectomy 2010 Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)