Treatment of Epistaxis with Silver Nitrate

An elderly man had recurrent epistaxis from his right nostril. 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.

Treatment of Epistaxis with Silver Nitrate

Cauterization of bleeding vessel in epistaxis