Cauterization of Bleeding Vessel in Epistaxis

An elderly man had recurrent epistaxis. At emergency department the bleeding was seen to originate from a typical site in the anterior part of the septum. Applying cotton wool containing lidocaine and adrenaline stopped the bleeding. After that the bleeding vessel was visible as a tiny red spot. A pearl of silver nitrate is pressed gently on the spot for a few seconds. Immediately after that the nostril is rinsed with a piece of cotton wool soaked with isotonic sodium chloride. Another prominent vessel close to the bleeding spot was also cauterized. Preparing a pearl of silver nitrate is shown in video Preparation of a Silver Nitrate Pearl for Treating Epistaxis.

Cauterization of Bleeding Vessel in Epistaxis