Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae
Published on: January 17, 2014
Are systemic prophylactic antibiotics indicated with anterior nasal packing for spontaneous epistaxis?
1Department of Otolaryngology, Southmead Hospital, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. drdbiswas@hotmail.com
Conclusion:
This pilot study did not show an advantage of the routine use of prophylactic antibiotics for spontaneous epistaxis treated by nasal packing.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of the use of prophylactic antibiotics in spontaneous epistaxis cases treated with anterior nasal packing.
Subjects And Methods:
Over a period of 6 months, all cases of epistaxis managed with anterior nasal packing were studied prospectively. After pack removal, swabs from the packed and the non-packed sides of the nasal cavity were cultured to detect any difference in the bacterial growth pattern between the two sides. All these cases were clinically evaluated to detect any infection secondary to the anterior nasal packing.
Results:
We did not observe infection in any of the cases before or after removal of the anterior nasal pack. The bacterial growth profile of packed and non-packed sides of the nose did not differ significantly.
Related Concept Videos
Epistaxis
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
Tonsillitis II: Management
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
