Tonsillar abscess? Let's see what methods can be used for treatment

Tonsils are a "special organ" in the human body. The reason why they are special is that they always have some problems. For example, inflammation may cause tonsil abscess. In severe cases, you may have to go to the hospital to remove the tonsils. How should tonsil abscess caused by acute tonsillitis be treated?

1. Treatment before abscess formation

As with acute tonsillitis, sufficient antibiotics must be given intravenously to control the spread of inflammation, stop abscess formation and prevent the occurrence of complications, and give infusions to treat the symptoms.

2. Treatment after abscess formation

(1) Puncture and aspiration

Puncture can determine whether abscess has formed and the location of abscess, and also achieve the purpose of treatment. Under 0.5% to 1% dicaine mucosal surface anesthesia, choose the most raised and softened part of the abscess, and tentatively insert the needle. Pay attention to the direction and do not pierce too deep to avoid accidentally injuring the large blood vessels around the pharynx. There is a sense of emptiness when the needle enters the abscess cavity, and pus is drawn out when it is withdrawn. Try to draw out the pus as much as possible.

(2) Incision and drainage

Under local anesthesia, make an incision and drainage at the abscess puncture site. If the incision site cannot be determined, draw an imaginary horizontal line from the root of the uvula; draw an imaginary vertical line from the lower end of the free edge of the palatoglossal arch. The intersection of the two lines slightly outside is the appropriate place to make the incision. The incision is 1 to 1.5 cm long, and the mucosa and superficial tissue are cut (not too deep). Use a vascular clamp to separate the soft tissue layer by layer along the direction of the muscle fibers to the back and outside, directly reaching the abscess cavity to drain the pus.

(3) Tonsillectomy during the abscess stage

Generally speaking, surgery can be performed 2 to 3 weeks after acute tonsillitis subsides. However, for patients with abscesses around the tonsils, tonsillectomy on the affected side can be performed after diagnosis or a few days after incision and drainage, under the control of adequate antibiotics. This is especially suitable for patients with a long course of disease who have not been cured after multiple incisions and drainages. At this time, the tonsillar capsule and the tonsillar fossa have been separated by pus, so it is easier to remove the tonsils surgically, with less bleeding and less pain. After tonsillectomy, the abscess cavity is completely open and drained thoroughly, making it easy to heal. Removing the lesion as soon as possible can reduce the occurrence of complications, and can also avoid the pain of another operation and the difficulty of removing the tonsils due to scar formation.

3. Treatment after abscess subsides

Tonsillectomy should be performed two weeks after the abscess has subsided to prevent recurrence.