REVIEW

Epistaxis: an update on current management

L E R Pope¹ and C G L Hobbs²

¹ Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
² Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, St Michael’s Hospital, Bristol, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Mr C G L Hobbs
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, St Michael’s Hospital, Southwell Street, Bristol BS2 8EG, UK; chris.hobbs{at}doctors.org.uk

Epistaxis is one of the commonest ENT emergencies. Although most patients can be treated within an accident and emergency setting, some are complex and may require specialist intervention. There are multiple risk factors for the development of epistaxis and it can affect any age group, but it is the elderly population with their associated morbidity who often require more intensive treatment and subsequent admission. Treatment strategies have been broadly similar for decades. However, with the evolution of endoscopic technology, new ways of actively managing epistaxis are now available. Recent evidence suggests that this, combined with the use of stepwise management plans, should limit patient complications and the need for admission. This review discusses the various treatment options and integrates the traditional methods with modern techniques.

Keywords: epistaxis management; endoscopic electrocautery

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Warnecke, T., Teismann, I., Oelenberg, S., Hamacher, C., Ringelstein, E. B., Schabitz, W. R., Dziewas, R. (2009). The Safety of Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing in Acute Stroke Patients. Stroke 40: 482-486 [Abstract] [Full Text]