Endoscopic Sphenopalatine Artery Cauterization in Refractory Hypertensive Epistaxis

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, frequently presents as a medical emergency requiring effective management.
• Refractory epistaxis cases often necessitate advanced treatment beyond conservative measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic sphenopalatine artery cauterization for managing refractory epistaxis.
• To assess the procedure's success rate, complication profile, and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 11 patients with severe epistaxis refractory to conservative treatments.
• Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery cauterization was performed on all participants.
• Patients were monitored for intraoperative/postoperative complications and epistaxis recurrence during a 60-90 day follow-up period.

Main Results:

• All 11 patients achieved rapid epistaxis control with no intraoperative or postoperative complications.
• No patients experienced epistaxis recurrence during the follow-up period.
• The procedure demonstrated a high success rate with minimal morbidity.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery cauterization is a safe, simple, and effective treatment for refractory epistaxis.
• It offers a cost-effective, immediate second-line treatment option when conservative measures fail.
• The procedure is associated with low morbidity, shorter hospital stays, and high patient satisfaction.