Non-invasive treatment of intractable posterior epistaxis with hot-water irrigation

Posterior nose bleeding is a frequent and challenging emergency. The authors report their experience using hot water irrigation as a non-invasive treatment option for posterior epistaxis. Between January 2003 and January 2005 a group of 103 patients were enrolled in this prospective study evaluating the effectiveness of a "hot water irrigation" technique to control acute posterior nose bleeding. All patients with posterior epistaxis were included, whereas anterior epistaxis was controlled using conventional methods. The patient's nose was initially anaesthetized with topical Tetracain 4% (without vasoconstriction) and a modified epistaxis-balloon-catheter was introduced into the bleeding nasal cavity obstructing the choana. The bleeding nasal cavity was continuously irrigated using 500 ml of 50 degrees C hot water. In a total of 84 patients (82%) the bleeding was successfully and permanently stopped. Forty-seven of these patients (56%) regularly took antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants. The method failed in 19 of 103 patients (18%). In the group with unsuccessful irrigation, 11 patients (58%) were receiving treatment with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants. Their proportion was not different from the successfully treated group. The success rate of hot water irrigation as non-invasive treatment of posterior epistaxis appears at least as effective as conventional methods. However it avoids painful packing, hospitalizations, or immediate surgery, and allows the patient to breath normally through his open nasal cavities.