Use of Hemostatic Nasal Plugs in Emergency Medical Services in the Netherlands: A Prospective Study of 33 Cases

Abstract

Background: Epistaxis is a common medical emergency with possible life-threatening complications. In the prehospital setting, epistaxis can be treated with nasal tampons. HemCon® Nasal Plug is a nasal tampon impregnated with oxidized cellulose, which has hemostatic properties.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and usability of HemCon Nasal Plugs in the treatment of severe epistaxis in the prehospital setting.

Methods: From June 2012 to December 2014, all ambulances of two emergency medical services in the Netherlands were equipped with HemCon Nasal Plugs. The plug was used according to protocol; if conventional treatment failed to control severe epistaxis or if conventional treatment was unlikely to achieve hemostasis. The ambulance personnel filled in an evaluation form after each use.

Results: A total of 33 patients were treated with HemCon Nasal Plugs. Twenty-four patients were taking anticoagulants or suffered from a clotting disorder. The cause of epistaxis was idiopathic in the majority of the patients. Inserting HemCon Nasal Plugs resulted in cessation of epistaxis in 25/33 patients and resulted in reduction of epistaxis in 4/33 patients. HemCon Nasal Plugs failed to control epistaxis in 4/33 patients, possible due to an unreachable site of bleeding.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that HemCon Nasal Plug is an effective adjunct in the prehospital treatment of severe and uncontrolled epistaxis.

Keywords: ambulance; emergency medical service; epistaxis; hemostatic; nasal plug; nasal tampon; prehospital.