[Further improvement of the methods for the arrest of nasal bleeding]

Gauze tamponade of the nasal cavity is one of the most popular and convenient methods for the arrest of nasal bleeding. We used a polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) powder that prevents local fibrinolysis by virtue of its sorption properties. PVP placed on the tampons and insufflated into the nasal cavity after their removal was shown to significantly decrease manifestations of reactive oedema and frequency of recurrent bleeding. These effects are attributable to the modifying action of PVP on fibrin thrombus and amplification of erythrocyte aggregation. On the one hand, fibrin thrombi formed close to the source of bleeding become harder due to the thickening of fibrin filaments; on the other hand, increased permeability of the fibrin network facilitates unobstructed penetration of fibrinolytic factors into the nasal cavity where they are sorbed and inactivated by PVP molecules. The hemostatic effect of PVP is promoted by enhanced erythrocyte aggregation.