Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of indirect laryngeal biopsy forceps in the treatment of epiglottic abscess (EA).
Methods: Twenty patients were diagnosed with EA in our department and were randomly divided into group A (indirect laryngeal biopsy forceps combined antibiotics) and group B (antibiotics only). Demographics, the degree of epiglottic and arytenoid swelling, and inflammatory cells were collected for analysis. The drainage of EA was performed under local anesthesia in conscious patients with indirect laryngeal biopsy forceps and 70° direct laryngoscopes. The length of symptomatic relief and length of hospitalization were assessed.
Results: Ten patients were treated with indirect laryngeal biopsy forceps under the view of the 70° direct laryngoscopes combined with intravenous antibiotics, whereas the other 10 patients were treated with antibiotics only. The differences between the 2 groups had no statistical significance in age, gender, white blood cell count, neutrophils count, and the percent of neutrophils, abscess size, and scope classification at the time of diagnosis. The length of hospitalization and length of symptomatic relief was significantly lower in patients treated with indirect laryngeal biopsy forceps combined antibiotics than those treated with antibiotics only.
Conclusions: Indirect laryngeal biopsy forceps are safe and effective method to treat EA, which shorten the hospitalization and has the advantages of cost savings and convenience.
Keywords: antibiotics; epiglottic abscess; indirect laryngeal biopsy forceps; length of hospitalization.