Clinical Study of 1304 Patients with Epistaxis for Recent 5 Years

Abstract

Objective: Epistaxis is one of the most common symptoms encountered in the ENT clinic. In this study, we reviewed our recent clinical experience of patients with epistaxis and discussed important lessons for the management of cases of epistaxis.

Method: Between 2005 and 2009, 1304 patients with epistaxis were treated at our department. There were 795 men and 509 women. Mean age was 57 years (range, 0-99 years). Clinical features: situations at the first visit; pathogenesis; bleeding points; methods of treatments; and clinical courses were retrospectively investigated.

Results: The 700 patients (54%) first visited in the nighttime. The most common condition was hypertension in 388 patients (30%) followed by cardiovascular disease in 262 patients (20%). The 630 patients (48%) were on medication with hypotensors and/or antithrombotic drugs. Kiesselbach’s plexus was the mostly observed, as it was observed in 679 patients (52%). In 225 patients (17%), bleeding point was not confirmed. The 424 patients (33%) were primarily treated by anterior packing, followed by electrocauterization in 365 patients (28%). Re-bleedings within 14 days after the primary treatments were found in 181 patients (14%). Hospitalized surgical treatments were required in 3% (6/181 patients).

Conclusion: Outpatient therapy is usually enough to arrest hemorrhage in major cases. However, we have encountered patients with repeating arterial pulsing bleedings who require emergent hospitalized surgical therapy. Risk of re-bleeding within a day should be considered if patients had uncertain bleeding point and circulatory diseases.