Aetiology and management of epistaxis at TU Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Epistaxis is a common condition, as well as a frequent otolaryngologic emergency. Up to 60% of people experiencing one episode in their lifetime and 6% seeking medical attention.

Methods: A retrospective study of records of 93 patients admitted in the department of ENT-Head and Neck Surgery of TU Teaching Hospital for the management of epistaxis in between March 2005 and February 2006.

Results: The incidence of epistaxis was found to be in 6.0% of all the ENT patients admitted in the department in this time period. The most common cause / risk factors were hypertension followed by deviated nasal septum. In 24.7% of cases no cause could be found and was labeled as idiopathic. Regarding treatment, 9.7% treated with Chemical cautery, 34.4% anterior nasal packing, 25.8% posterior nasal packing and 2.2% required arterial ligation to control their epistaxis.

Conclusion: Our study shows that epistaxis is also a common emergency. Etiology could be found nearly 75% of cases only which could be preventable. Anterior Nasal Packing was the most common treatment. We should manage a case of epistaxis in an orderly manner.