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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 June 2016
To investigate variations in the management and outcomes of peritonsillarabscesses, and to develop a trainee collaborative network in the UK.
Data were collected prospectively on suspected peritonsillar abscess casespresenting over a 2-month period at 42 participating secondary care centres,covering a population of 16 million. The primary outcome was an adverseevent at 30 days, defined as re-presentation or re-drainage.
Eighteen per cent of the 325 cases experienced an adverse event. Follow-updata were valid for 90 per cent of cases. Regression analyses showed asignificant reduction in adverse events in the 12 per cent of patients whowere discharged within 12 hours, and there was no significant increase inadverse events for the 70 per cent receiving corticosteroids.
Out-patient management of peritonsillar abscess is not commonly practised inthe UK. Corticosteroid usage is common and appears safe. This studydemonstrates that trainees working in collaboration can effectively deliverprospective multicentre cohort studies in the UK.