The use of balloon catheters in the treatment of epistaxis

Inflatable balloon catheters are widely used in the treatment of severe epistaxis and are designed to be filled either with air or liquid. A postal survey revealed that 87 per cent of respondents used an inflatant which was deemed inappropriate by the manufacturer. When balloons designed for water or saline were filled with air, they deflated rapidly, in some cases being virtually empty after 24 hours. Better and more accessible instruction leaflets are required if the balloons are to be used as intended. Foley catheters are frequently used as nasopharyngeal packs, in conjunction with anterior nasal packs. Paraffin in the commonly used anterior packs damages the rubber of the catheter, resulting in the balloon bursting. This should be recognized by clinicians as a possible cause of rebleeding.