Embolisation in Epistaxis. Evaluation from 1996 to 2004

Abstract

Objectives: From 1996 to 2004 we investigated 3185 patients suffering from epistaxis/nosebleed: Based on a retrospective analysis, this presentation is going to explain and discuss the benefit of the use of embolisation. Methods: From 1996 to 2004 the team treated 3185 patients with epistaxis; 1.25% ( 40) of these patients were treated with embolisation, 0.1% (3) of them with embolisation of both sides. Embolisation was done distal of maxillary or the sphenopalatine artery with microparticles of polyvinyl alcohol foam (PVA, 150-250 μm). Results: In all cases treated with embolisation (40) the severe nosebleed was stopped. Complications, f.i. necrosis of lateral nosewall were not observed. Conclusions: In case of severe epistaxis embolisation is a gentle and quite reliable therapeutic option with only a few complications. In view of the increasing pressure of cost reduction this method is a possibility of a secure and fast therapy.