Therapeutic management of peritonsillar abscess during COVID-19

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown policies in Germany on frequency and treatment of peritonsillar abscess at a tertiary referral center in Germany. Methods This retrospective case-control study analyzed all cases of peritonsillar abscess treated from 03/01/2018 until 08/30/2022 at Augsburg ENT University Hospital, Germany, through abscess tonsillectomy and/ or incisional drainage. Data was collected and correlated to Covid-19 Stringency Index using codes based on the Institute for Hospital Remuneration System in Germany. After excluding 303 cases, 975 abscess tonsillectomy and incisional drainage cases were studied, with the first German lockdown serving as cutoff date. Treatment algorithm was maintained regardless of co-infection with Covid-19. Results A total of 174 patients received abscess tonsillectomy as therapy, while 801 patients underwent incisional drainage. Before the first German lockdown, 452 patients received incisional drainage. Since the pandemic, 349 cases of incisional drainage were registered (OR = 0.54, 95%-CI [0.27–0.86], p = 0.04), despite no significant change in the percentage of peritonsillar abscess of all ENT emergencies. The mean age at presentation with PTA was 39.8 years, and the rate of relapse was 4.0%. The study found no association between the scale of policy measures and treatment (OR = 1.00, 95%-CI [0.99–1.01], p = 0.52). Conclusion The results indicate that, despite the reduction in capacities due to Covid-19, the proportion of patients with peritonsillar abscess treated through abscess tonsillectomy increased at Augsburg ENT University Hospital since the first German lockdown. Hospitalization times could still be reduced with comparable relapse rates.