Epistaxis audit revisited

Abstract

Integrate team investigating mortality following epistaxis. 1 This recent article follows the success of Integrate's national epistaxis and peritonsillar abscess audits, previously published in The Journal. 2-6 The 'Epistaxis 2016: national audit of management' collected prospective data over a 30-day audit window in 113 centres. A higher than expected 30-day all-cause mortality rate of 3.4 per cent was identified in the audit. In this recent article, the study examines in more detail the subgroup of patients who died during the audit period. In their analysis, the authors found that patients who died were more likely to: come from a ward environment; have co-existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes or a bleeding diathesis; be on antithrombotic medication; or have received a blood transfusion. Patients did not die from exsanguination. The authors therefore concluded that epistaxis may be seen as a general marker of poor health and a poor prognostic sign in otherwise already morbid patients. Nevertheless, the aforementioned risk factors should serve as red-flag features associated with higher mortality in epistaxis patients.

Awareness of First Aid Management of Epistaxis in Children Among Parents in Arar, Saudi Arabia

“…While epistaxis may arise from either anterior or posterior sources, nearly 90% of nasal bleeding cases can be attributed to Kiesselbach's plexus (also known as Little's area) located on the anterior portion of the nasal septum. Notably, many of these cases can be effectively managed in a home setting [ 3 ]. The nasal cavity features abundant vascularity, supplied by branches from both internal and external carotid arteries [ 4 ].…”