Non-dissolvable nasal packs (Rapid Rhino and Merocel) are widely used in secondary healthcare centres for the control of epistaxis, with some side effects.

A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted of adults who required Rapid Rhino or Merocel packing for acute epistaxis management in a large healthcare centre between March 2020 and 2021. A validated modified version of the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test was used.

A total of 80 adults requiring non-dissolvable packs were recruited. Seventy per cent of patients had Rapid Rhino packs inserted. Embarrassment was greater in patients who used Rapid Rhino than Merocel. Merocel packs had a significantly higher mean pain score on removal compared to Rapid Rhino. There was no correlation between rebleed rate and type of nasal pack used.

Non-dissolvable Rapid Rhino and Merocel nasal packs have similar efficacy in controlling epistaxis. Rapid Rhino packs are more embarrassing for patients in comparison to Merocel packs, but are less painful to remove.

This review assessed the effectiveness of the nurse-led children's epistaxis clinic in streamlining patient care and avoiding unnecessary general anaesthesia.

A retrospective case note review was conducted of children attending the nurse-led epistaxis clinic between 2019 and 2021.

A total of 718 children were seen over three years. Twelve (1.7 per cent) had a known coagulopathy. Of the children, 590 (82 per cent) had visible vessels and 29 (4 per cent) had mucosal crusting. Silver nitrate cautery was attempted under topical anaesthesia in 481 children, with 463 (96 per cent) successful cauterisations. Fifteen (3 per cent) were cauterised under general anaesthesia. Of the children, 706 (99 per cent) were prescribed nasal antiseptic preparations; this was the sole treatment for 58 (8 per cent). Blood investigations were requested for eight children (1 per cent) and haematology referral for three (0.4 per cent).

This is the largest published series of children's nosebleeds. Given the short-lived benefit from cautery, it is suggested that general anaesthesia should not be offered routinely. However, improved haematology referral criteria are required to increase underlying diagnosis.

A previous study in 2016 found that the quality of YouTube videos on epistaxis first-aid management was highly variable. This study aimed to reassess the accuracy and patient understandability of such YouTube videos.

YouTube was searched using the phrase ‘How to stop a nosebleed’. The highest 50 ranking videos, based on relevance, were screened. Each video was assessed objectively using a standardised ‘advice score’, and subjectively using a video understandability and actionability checklist, the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials (‘PEMAT-A/V’).

The mean advice score was 4.1 out of 8. The mean (standard deviation) understandability and actionability scores were 76 per cent (17 per cent) and 89 per cent (18 per cent), respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between the actionability scores and the advice scores (ρ = 0.634; p < 0.001), and between the actionability scores and the understandability scores (ρ = 0.519; p = 0.002).

YouTube videos are providing increasingly relevant advice for patients seeking healthcare information. YouTube is proposed as a useful medium for teaching epistaxis management to patients and community practitioners.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a low-cost orbital prosthesis for simulation of endoscopically assisted intra-orbital anterior ethmoidal artery ligation.

A low-cost orbital prosthesis was built and evaluated by ENT surgical trainees. Feedback was given following the assessment in the form of a face validity questionnaire.

Results were scored on a Likert scale of 1–7 (low to high). Trainees had limited exposure to the procedure (40 per cent) and predominantly low levels of confidence (mean, 3.67) that correlated with a lack of first-hand experience. The anatomy and likeness to human tissue of the prosthesis were both ranked highly, with mean scores of 5.0 and 4.93, respectively.

The results of this study support the idea that a simple anatomical prosthesis for the simulation of endoscopic anterior ethmoidal artery ligation can be created with potential value to otolaryngology surgical training. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first documentation of simulated surgical epistaxis management using an artificial anatomical model.

In severe refractory epistaxis, the anterior ethmoidal artery may need to be ligated. Previously described endonasal or transorbital approaches are not always effective, or they have suboptimal aesthetic outcomes. This paper describes a safe and effective surgical technique, with a consistent landmark allowing quick identification.

A transcaruncular incision is made, oriented medially in the direction of the medial orbital wall towards the level of the nasion. Once onto bone, a subperiosteal plane is developed and an endoscope is used to dissect posteriorly at the level of the nasion, until the anterior ethmoidal artery is identified, and subsequently ligated.

The nasion is an easy, constant landmark to use for ligation of the anterior ethmoidal artery in refractory epistaxis. The traditional method of identifying the anterior ethmoidal artery is not applicable or constant enough for use during the transorbital approach. The described technique avoids injury to surrounding structures and has a satisfactory aesthetic outcome.

Petrous internal carotid artery aneurysms are very rare vascular lesions, which may present with otalgia and life-threatening massive otorrhoea.

An 84-year-old woman presented at a local otolaryngology clinic with progressive otalgia due to an acute exacerbation of chronic otitis media. She was referred with left-sided massive otorrhoea following Eustachian tube catheterisation. She suffered another massive otorrhoea with epistaxis during left-sided ear cleaning at a clinic visit. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and computed tomography angiography revealed a left-sided aneurysm and adjacent stenosis at the left internal carotid artery. Coil embolisation of the petrous internal carotid artery aneurysm was performed with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty followed by dilatation of the stenosis.

Computed tomography angiography should be performed immediately when a patient reports massive otorrhoea. Endovascular occlusion is a treatment option as it avoids complications of open surgical ligation procedures.

Epistaxis is one of the most common emergencies presenting to the ENT service, and silver nitrate cautery is the mainstay of epistaxis treatment in most centres worldwide. This review aimed to ascertain the historical evidence behind current common practice.

A review was conducted of historical published literature pertaining to epistaxis management.

Silver in medicine dates back to 4000 BC, with silver nitrate first being used in 69 BC. Modern medical use for epistaxis is documented in case reports over the last 200 years.

The precise origin and evidence-based practice of using silver nitrate for epistaxis is not well-established or understood. The mechanism of action is questionable; novel research of silver nitrate for this common ENT emergency presentation may be required.

Epistaxis can be life-threatening. Simple first aid management can stem bleeding. This study compared knowledge of first aid management methods of epistaxis between the general public and healthcare workers.

A cross-sectional study of 100 healthcare workers and 103 adult members of the public was conducted at a large London teaching hospital. Respondents completed a survey assessing knowledge on nasal pinching site, head tilt and appropriate adjunct treatment use for first aid management of epistaxis.

Twenty-four per cent and 68 per cent of healthcare workers compared with 25.2 per cent and 37.9 per cent of the public answered correctly on nasal pinching position and head tilt position, respectively, with a statistical difference for head tilt position. Two per cent, 2 per cent and 24 per cent of healthcare workers mentioned ice use on the nose, ice use in the mouth or ice use but not site, respectively, compared with 0 per cent, 0 per cent and 4.9 per cent of the public, with a statistical difference for ice without site.

Healthcare workers and the public lack knowledge on first aid management of epistaxis. Improved education on first aid management is required, targeting healthcare workers and the public.

There is currently limited evidence regarding the potential complications of sphenopalatine artery ligation. The post-operative outcomes at two secondary care centres over a 10-year period were reviewed.

A retrospective review was undertaken of patients undergoing emergency and elective sphenopalatine artery ligation between January 2011 and January 2021. Their demographics, peri-operative care and post-operative outcomes were recorded. The median follow-up time was 54 days (range, 0–2657 days).

Ninety-one patients were included. Four patients (4.4 per cent) had a septal perforation at post-operative review. Nineteen patients (20.9 per cent) had post-operative bleeding that extended their in-patient stay, with five patients (5.5 per cent) requiring revision surgery. Pre-operative non-dissolvable nasal packing was used a median of 1 time (range, 0–8 times).

Further research on outcomes of sphenopalatine artery ligation is needed. Pre-operative non-dissolvable nasal packing, concurrent septal surgical procedures, surgical techniques, and co-morbidities such as hypertension represent potential confounding factors that could not be further assessed in this small, retrospective study.

To determine histopathological changes in nasal mucosa associated with duration of nasal packing with Merocel tampons.

This study included 24 healthy rabbits, 6 rabbits per group. In group A, no tampon was applied. In group B, Merocel nasal tampons were applied and removed after 24 hours. In group C, the tampons were removed after 48 hours. In group D, the tampons were removed after 5 days. Specimens were obtained from the septum of each rabbit, including cartilage. Histopathological examination was performed.

Significant differences were observed in terms of inflammatory infiltration and loss of cilia between groups A and B. Significant differences were also observed in terms of inflammatory infiltration, haematoma, cilia loss, epithelium dysplasia and cartilage degeneration between groups B and C. There were significant differences in terms of cilia loss, epithelium dysplasia and subepithelial fibrosis between groups C and D. Cartilage degeneration was mild in one animal in group B and in two animals in group C, and was moderate in four animals in group C.

It is recommended that Merocel nasal tampons are removed within 48 hours to preserve nasal mucosal function. Keeping the pack longer may cause cartilage degeneration and other complications.

Post-operative bleeding is one of the most common and severe complications of turbinate surgery. This study compared post-operative bleeding following partial turbinectomy, submucosal turbinate reduction and endoscopic turbinoplasty.

Post-operative bleeding was assessed in patients who underwent inferior turbinate intervention by partial turbinectomy, submucosal turbinate reduction or endoscopic turbinoplasty between January 2016 and November 2017 and had completed at least one month of follow up.

Of 1035 patients who underwent inferior turbinate surgery during the study period, 751 were included. Of these, 56 (7.5 per cent) presented to the emergency room with post-operative bleeding; 31 (8.4 per cent) had undergone partial turbinectomy, 19 (10.7 per cent) had undergone submucosal turbinate reduction and 6 (3.0 per cent) had undergone endoscopic turbinoplasty. The odds ratio of requiring an intervention to control bleeding was significantly lower in the endoscopic turbinoplasty group than in the submucosal turbinate reduction group (odds ratio = 3.26, 95 per cent confidence interval = 1.02–10.43).

Endoscopic turbinoplasty had the lowest rate of post-operative bleeding and the lowest rate of patients requiring intervention.

Acute epistaxis can be a life-threatening airway emergency, requiring in-patient admission. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic placed significant strain on hospital resources, and management has shifted towards an out-patient-centred approach.

A five-month single-centre retrospective study was undertaken of all epistaxis patients managed by the ENT department. A pre-coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic group was managed with pre-existing guidelines, compared to new guidelines for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic group. A telephone survey was performed on out-patients with non-dissolvable packs to assess patient comfort and satisfaction.

A total of 142 patients were seen. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic group had significantly more patients aged over 65 years (p = 0.004), an increased use of absorbable dressings and local haemostatic agents (Nasopore and Surgiflo), and fewer admissions (all p < 0.0005). Rates of re-presentation and morbidity, and length of hospital stay were similar. The telephone survey revealed out-patient management to be efficacious and feasible.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has shifted epistaxis management towards local haemostatic agents and out-patient management; this approach is as safe and effective as previously well-established regimens.

This technical note describes a novel method of cauterising the posterior nasal cavity through the use of a plastic straw and silver nitrate.

This technique aims to prevent unwanted damage to surrounding nasal mucosa.

Once the nasal cavity has been prepared for cauterisation, the silver nitrate stick is navigated to the bleeding point covered by the plastic straw. The silver nitrate stick is then advanced onto the bleeding point allowing precise cauterisation of the nasal mucosa, without effecting surrounding healthy mucosa.

The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 has necessitated changes to ‘usual’ ways of practice in otolaryngology, with a view towards out-patient or ambulatory management of appropriate conditions. This paper reviews the available evidence for out-patient management of three of the most common causes for emergency referral to the otolaryngology team: tonsillitis, peri-tonsillar abscess and epistaxis.

A literature review was performed, searching all available online databases and resources. The Medical Subject Headings ‘tonsillitis’, ‘pharyngotonsillitis’, ‘quinsy’, ‘peritonsillar abscess’ and ‘epistaxis’ were used. Papers discussing out-patient management were reviewed by the authors.

Out-patient and ambulatory pathways for tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess are well described for patients meeting appropriate criteria. Safe discharge of select patients is safe and should be encouraged in the current clinical climate. Safe discharge of patients with epistaxis who have bleeding controlled is also well described.

In select cases, tonsillitis, quinsy and epistaxis patients can be safely managed out of hospital, with low re-admission rates.

Coronavirus disease 2019 imposed dramatic changes on ENT service delivery. Pre-pandemic, such changes would have been considered potentially unsafe. This study outlines the impact of lockdown on the incidence and management of ENT emergencies at a large UK centre.

After modification of pre-pandemic guidelines, ENT emergency referrals data during the UK lockdown were prospectively captured. A comparative analysis was performed with retrospective data from a corresponding period in 2019.

An overall reduction (p < 0.001) in emergency referrals (n = 119) and admissions (n = 18) occurred during the lockdown period compared to the 2019 period (432 referrals and 290 admissions). Specifically, there were reduced admission rates for epistaxis (p < 0.0001) and tonsillar infection (p < 0.005) in the lockdown period. During lockdown, 90 per cent of patients requiring non-dissolvable nasal packing were managed as out-patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 compelled modifications to pre-pandemic ENT guidelines. The enforced changes to emergency care appear to be safe and successfully adopted. Arguably, the measures have both economic and patient-related implications post-coronavirus disease 2019 and during future similar pandemics and lockdowns.

To evaluate the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection in patients presenting with epistaxis to a tertiary otolaryngology unit.

A prospective study was conducted of 40 consecutive patients presenting with epistaxis referred to our tertiary otolaryngology unit. A group of 40 age-matched controls were also included. All patients underwent real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Symptoms of fever, cough and anosmia were noted in the study group.

The mean age was 66.5 ± 22.4 years in the study group. There were 22 males (55 per cent) and 18 females (45 per cent). The mean age in the control group was 66.3 ± 22.4 years (p = 0.935). There were six positive cases for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (15 per cent) in the epistaxis group and one case (2.5 per cent) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.05).

Epistaxis may represent a presenting symptom of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection. This may serve as a useful additional criterion for screening patients.

Individuals on anticoagulation therapy are at increased risk of bleeding, including epistaxis. There is a lack of available reversal agents for novel oral anticoagulation therapy.

This paper reviews the current literature on epistaxis in the context of novel oral anticoagulation use, in order to recommend guidelines on management.

A comprehensive search of published literature was conducted to identify all relevant articles published up to April 2019.

Patients on oral anticoagulation therapy are over-represented in individuals with epistaxis. Those on novel oral anticoagulation therapy were more likely to relapse compared to patients on classic oral anticoagulants or non-anticoagulated patients. Idarucizumab is an effective antidote for bleeding associated with dabigatran use. Recommendations for epistaxis management in patients on novel oral anticoagulation therapy are outlined.

Clinicians need to be aware of the potential severity of epistaxis and the increased likelihood of recurrence. High-quality studies are required to determine the efficacy and safety of andexanet alfa and ciraparantag, as well as non-specific reversal agents.

This study compared the efficacy of microwave ablation and silver nitrate cautery as treatments for idiopathic recurrent anterior epistaxis in adults.

A case series with chart review was conducted. Adults with recurrent anterior epistaxis intra-operatively treated via microwave ablation or silver nitrate chemical cautery of the anterior nasal septum were enrolled. The primary outcomes were the proportion of patients in each group for whom bleeding ceased within 24 hours of treatment, and the time to successful haemostasis. The secondary outcomes were re-bleeding rates at 1 and 12 weeks and 6 months, and complications.

The haemostasis success rate within 24 hours’ treatment of convex lesions was significantly higher in the microwave ablation group than in the cautery-only group. Of patients with convex lesions, the recurrence rate to six months was significantly higher in the cautery group than in the microwave ablation group, but this was not the case for those with flat lesions.

Microwave ablation afforded rapid and simple haemostasis for adults with recurrent anterior epistaxis in an out-patient setting. Microwave ablation had significant advantages compared to silver nitrate cautery when used to treat epistaxis in patients with convex lesions.

Epistaxis is a common ENT presentation. The British National Formulary lists epistaxis as a common side effect of atorvastatin. This study aimed to better understand the relationship between epistaxis and atorvastatin use, and determine whether ENT doctors are aware of its side effect profile.

A retrospective analysis over 10 months identified 100 individuals who presented to hospital with epistaxis. A questionnaire of 24 ENT registrars was undertaken.

Of the 100 patients admitted with epistaxis, 27 were receiving atorvastatin and 21 simvastatin. None of the 24 ENT registrars were aware that epistaxis was a listed common side effect of atorvastatin.

There was no apparent difference in the proportion of patients admitted with epistaxis taking atorvastatin versus simvastatin. Epistaxis is an unknown side effect of atorvastatin; doctors have an obligation to be aware of the pharmaceutical literature and to consider alternatives, particularly in re-admissions cases.