• P W Bauer, J E Lieu, D L Suskind, and R P Lusk.
• Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, St Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, One Children's Place, Suite 3S-35, St Louis, MO 63110-1077, USA. bauerp@msnotes.wustl.edu
• Arch Otolaryngol. 2001 Dec 1;127(12):1477-80.

ObjectiveTo demonstrate the safety of conscious sedation in draining peritonsillar abscesses (PTAs).DesignChildren diagnosed as having a PTA in the pediatric emergency department were identified, and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results of the present study were compared with those of a previous report.SettingA tertiary referral children's hospital pediatric emergency department.ParticipantsNinety-one consecutive children initially evaluated in the emergency department and managed for a PTA.InterventionsPeritonsillar abscess incision and drainage with or without sedation. A team of physicians whose activities were documented on a formal conscious-sedation record was present. Patients were monitored for major and minor complications.Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome measures were major and minor complications. Secondary outcome measures were recurrence of PTA and the need for admission.ResultsThere were 62 episodes of conscious sedation for drainage of a PTA. Among the 91 patients, 3 had a recurrence and 24 were admitted after the procedure. A previous study evaluated 30 episodes of conscious sedation for drainage of a PTA. No major complications occurred in either series. Combining the previous data with the present data produced 92 episodes of conscious sedation for drainage of a PTA. The 1-sided upper 95% confidence limit for the rate of major complications is 3.2%.ConclusionOur series, when combined with previously published data, demonstrates that conscious sedation can be safely used when draining a PTA in pediatric patients.

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