Indications for Draining a Peritonsillar Abscess Clinically apparent peritonsillar abscess: Incision and drainage or needle aspiration Possible peritonsillar abscess: Needle aspiration for diagnosis and treatment Contraindications to Draining a Peritonsillar Abscess Absolute contraindications Intractable trismus Relative contraindications Poor patient cooperation Coagulopathy Uncertain diagnosis (for incision and drainage) If the diagnosis is uncertain, point-of-care ultrasound or needle aspiration can be done to confirm the presence of an abscess.