• Raviv Allon, Elchanan Zloczower, Maxim Chebotaryov, Sapir Pinhas, Yonatan Lahav, and Yael Shapira-Galitz.
• Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.
• Postgrad Med. 2024 Sep 1; 136 (7): 757763757-763.

ObjectivesPeritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common deep neck infection traditionally managed with conservative measures. Quinsy Tonsillectomy (QT) is recognized as a definitive treatment but remains variably utilized. We aimed to investigate PTA management strategies and attitudes toward QT among otolaryngologists.MethodsAn anonymous questionnaire was distributed to members of the local national Society of Otolaryngology, evaluating treatment strategies based on patient characteristics and clinical scenario.ResultsA total of 108 otolaryngologists responded (response rate: 30.8%). Participants preferred to treat PTA patients as inpatients (89%) and predominantly offered incision and drainage (I&D) as the first (90.7%) and subsequent (98.1%) treatment plan. QT was favored as a primary treatment only in 1.9% of responders. QT adoption increased with multiple I&D failures, reaching 95.3% after four attempts. In patients with recurrent PTA or tonsillitis, 84.2% preferred I&D follows by interval elective tonsillectomy, while 15% considered QT. The most common reason (72.2%) to avoid QT was the perception of a high perioperative risk.ConclusionI&D was favored for initial PTA treatment. QT is considered after multiple failed I&D attempts, and its use is limited as a primary treatment, mainly due to concerns regarding perioperative risk.

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