About Peritonsillar Abscess
Key Highlights
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Provides immediate relief from severe throat pain and difficulty swallowing.Prevents the spread of infection to deeper neck spaces (deep neck infection) or into the bloodstream (sepsis).Helps avoid airway obstruction, a potentially life-threatening complication.Typically a quick, minimally invasive procedure often performed under local anesthesia.Can be performed in an outpatient or emergency setting, potentially avoiding a lengthy hospital stay.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, worsening sore throat, typically on one side.
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or inability to swallow saliva, leading to drooling.
- Trismus (difficulty opening the mouth).
- Muffled or "hot potato" voice.
- Visible swelling and redness of the soft palate and tonsillar area, often with deviation of the uvula.
- Fever and general signs of infection.
- Confirmed diagnosis of a peritonsillar abscess via physical exam or imaging (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan).
How to prepare
- A thorough medical history and physical examination by an ENT specialist.
- Diagnostic confirmation, which may include a needle aspiration to identify pus.
- Review of current medications, especially blood thinners.
- Explanation of the procedure, anesthesia (usually local), and obtaining informed consent.
- Intravenous (IV) access may be established for fluids and antibiotics.
- Fasting may be recommended if sedation is considered, though often not required for local anesthesia alone.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding from the incision site.
- Incomplete drainage, requiring a repeat procedure.
- Injury to nearby structures like blood vessels or the palate.
- Spread of infection, leading to a deeper neck space infection (e.g., parapharyngeal abscess).
- Recurrence of the abscess.
- Reaction to local anesthetic.
- Scarring or minor changes in the voice or swallowing, though rare.
- In very rare cases, aspiration of pus or blood.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate relief from pain and swallowing difficulty is common after drainage.
- Complete a full course of prescribed oral antibiotics to clear the infection.
- Use prescribed pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications as needed.
- Gargle with warm salt water several times a day to promote healing and keep the area clean.
- Stay well-hydrated with cool, non-acidic fluids and consume a soft diet for a few days.
- Avoid strenuous activity for a few days and get plenty of rest.
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your ENT to ensure proper healing.
- Contact your doctor immediately if severe pain, bleeding, fever, or difficulty breathing returns.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering peritonsillar abscess in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for peritonsillar abscess in India include Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Manipal Hospital Hebbal, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform peritonsillar abscess. MediFyr helps you compare ent specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for peritonsillar abscess compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Peritonsillar Abscess in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ent teams and experience managing patients undergoing peritonsillar abscess.
Karan Reddy, a 42-year-old high school...
Karan Reddy, a 42-year-old high school teacher and father of two, had a history of recurrent tonsillitis. His latest bout seemed different; the severe left-sided throat pain didn't improve with antibiotics. He struggled to eat, was constantly drooling, and his wife noticed his voice sounded strange. Exhausted and in agony, he saw his GP who urgently referred him to ENT. The consultant confirmed a large left peritonsillar abscess and recommended incision and drainage to prevent airway complications. In the procedure room, after local anesthesia, Karan felt a sharp scratch then a gush of warm fluid as the abscess was opened. The relief was instant. Recovery required strong painkillers and antibiotics. He was back to soft foods within a day and his energy returned steadily. Emotionally, he had been a stoic figure trying to hide his pain from his kids, but internally he was anxious about his health failing his family. After the procedure, his primary emotion was one of deep relief and reassurance, allowing him to fully rest and heal.
ENT Specialists for Peritonsillar Abscess
Explore experienced ent specialists who regularly perform peritonsillar abscess and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 16 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 21 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
- 26 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 43 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 29 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 10 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 19 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 26 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore