The high rate of long-term recurrences and sequelae after epistaxis treatment

Epistaxis Treatment Options: Literature Review

Epistaxis means bleeding from nostrils, nasal cavity or nasopharynx. To summarize the available epistaxis treatment options. Methods: 61 articles published in the last 20 years were included. Duplicate records, irrelevant and inaccessible ones were excluded.  Epistaxis can be treated with first aid measures such as external pressure and ice packing and applying topical agents, e.g. oxymetazoline that stops 65-75% of nosebleeds in A&E. Also, with electrocautery which is more effective and has fewer recurrences (14.5% vs. 35.1%) than chemical cauterization and applying tranexamic acid that promotes hemostasis in 78% of patients, versus 35% and 31% respectively in patients treated with oxymetazoline and nasal packing. Furthermore, nasal packing can be applied with non-absorbable materials, e.g. petroleum jelly, BIPP gauze, PVA nasal tampons (Merocel), Foley catheter, balloons (Rapid-Rhino), absorbable materials, e.g. nasal tampon (Nasopore), and with newer hemostatic materials which are more effective and with fewer complications, e.g. hemostatic gauzes (Surgicel), thrombin matrix (Floseal), gelatin sponge (Spongostan) and fibrin glue. Moreover, epistaxis can be achieved with endoscopic ligation of arteries, mainly SPA, which is more effective than conventional nasal packing (97% vs. 62%), and with endoscopic cauterization which is more effective than ligation. Finally, for intractable cases embolization can be applied using gelatin sponge, foam, PVA and coils with 80% success rate and comparable efficacy and complications to surgical methods. Epistaxis can be dealt with various methods depending on patient's history and available resources. Newer hemostatic agents in combination with endoscopic methods have advantages over traditional methods.

Longstanding diplopia after ethmoidal artery ligation for epistaxis

PURPOSE

In the rare case of intractable, posterior, non-sphenopalatine artery epistaxis, ligation of ethmoidal arteries using an external approach like a Lynch-type incision is required. Orbital complications, especially extra-ocular motility disorders with diplopia, are known, but in the literature rarely described. Our aim was to analyse the complication type, rate, and outcome of ethmoidal artery ligation for epistaxis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data between 2012 and 2017 of patients treated with ethmoidal artery ligation were analysed retrospectively and through a telephone interview using a non-standardized questionnaire.

RESULTS

Data of 18 patients (m/f = 3/15) aged 53-83 years were reviewed. Epistaxis recurred in only one patient after 1 month. Five patients (28%) suffered from diplopia shortly after surgery. Motility analysis revealed full recovery with free motility in four out of five reported cases after 4-8 months, one patient still reports intermittent mild diplopia more than 1 year postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

In patients with intractable, non-sphenopalatine artery epistaxis, anterior ethmoidal artery ligation was highly effective. Diplopia, however, occurred in one-third of our patient group. Information about motility restriction with longer standing diplopia are mandatory when consenting patients for ligation of ethmoidal arteries. Special care needs to be taken during dissection in the region of the trochlea and superior oblique muscle.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case Series, level 4.

Epistaxis

Most anterior epistaxis originates primarily from the Kiesselbach plexus, whereas posterior epistaxis is less common and originates from branches of the sphenopalatine artery. Risk factors include local trauma, foreign body insertion, substance abuse, neoplasms, inherited bleeding diatheses, or acquired coagulopathies. Assessment of airway, breathing, and circulation precedes identification of bleeding source, pain control, and achieving hemostasis. Management options include topical vasoconstrictors, direct pressure, cautery, tranexamic acid, nasal tampons, Foley catheters, or surgical intervention. Specialty consultation may be pursued if interventions fail. Disposition is typically to home unless posterior epistaxis or significant comorbidities exist that warrant admission.

The long-term fate of epistaxis patients with exposure to antithrombotic medication

The goal of this study was to evaluate independent risk factors for long-term epistaxis recurrences and their severity. Individual retrospective cohort study-2b level of evidence. The medical information of 603 emergency epistaxis patients was acquired during a former study. This cohort has been contacted 6 years later by conventional mail and asked to answer a specific paper questionnaire. The following parameters were evaluated: recurrent epistaxis episodes, need for a surgical intervention to stop the recurrent bleeding, patient's history for hypertension and diabetes, intake of hemostasis impairing medication now and in the past. One hundred and six (106) patients were included in the study (35.8 % response rate). The mean observation period was 76.58 months. Almost half of the patients (41.5 % = 44/106) reported at least one recurrent epistaxis episode. Patients with exposure to VKA (vitamin K antagonists) showed significantly more frequently a recurrent epistaxis episode. The binary logistic regression confirmed the intake of VKA as an independent and significant risk factor with an odds ratio of 11.6. Every single patient who had to undergo a surgical intervention to stop a recurrent bleeding stated ASA (Acetylsalicylic Acid) intake. We provide evidence that the intake of a vitamin K antagonist is an independent long-term risk factor for recurrent epistaxis episodes. The intake of ASA is a risk factor for the severity of recurrent epistaxis with the increased need for a surgical intervention not only in a short- but also in a long-term perspective.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

This prognostic investigation, designed as a combined prospective and retrospective cohort study, reaches level 2b level of evidence as it includes retrospective aspects.