Objectives: This study systematically reviews the existing literature on the efficacy of adjuvant corticosteroids in improving clinical outcomes after peritonsillar abscess (PTA) drainage.
Study design: Systematic review.
Methods: We performed a literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to June 2016. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating adjuvant corticosteroids after PTA drainage. Data were systematically collected on study design, patient demographics, and clinical characteristics. Two independent investigators reviewed all manuscripts and summarized the data.
Results: Three RCTs comprising 153 patients were included. The results were not pooled due to heterogeneity in the method in which outcomes were measured and reported. The trials also varied on the type of steroid (dexamethasone, methylprednisolone) administered and method of drainage (incision, aspiration). All three RCTs reported statistically significant improvement in body temperature from adjuvant steroid administration compared to placebo. Pain scores, mouth opening, time to painless oral intake, and duration of hospitalization were significantly improved in only one or two of the three RCTs between the steroid and control group. No adverse side effects from steroid administration were reported.
Conclusions: Steroids as an adjunct therapy to the treatment of PTA may result in faster recovery. However, further investigation with larger RCTs and standardized outcomes are warranted.
Level of evidence: 1a. Laryngoscope, 128:72-77, 2018.
Keywords: Peritonsillar abscess; corticosteroids; deep neck abscess; steroids; tonsillitis.
© 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.