Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Aug;135(8):675-679.
doi: 10.1017/S0022215121001456. Epub 2021 May 18.

Coronavirus disease 2019: changing the future of emergency epistaxis management

Y Devabalan  1 , N Cereceda-Monteoliva  1 , H Lorenz  1 , J C Magill  1 , S Unadkat  1 , M Ferguson  1 , C Rennie  1
Affiliations

Coronavirus disease 2019: changing the future of emergency epistaxis management

Y Devabalan et al. J Laryngol Otol. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Acute epistaxis can be a life-threatening airway emergency, requiring in-patient admission. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic placed significant strain on hospital resources, and management has shifted towards an out-patient-centred approach.

Methods: A five-month single-centre retrospective study was undertaken of all epistaxis patients managed by the ENT department. A pre-coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic group was managed with pre-existing guidelines, compared to new guidelines for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic group. A telephone survey was performed on out-patients with non-dissolvable packs to assess patient comfort and satisfaction.

Results: A total of 142 patients were seen. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic group had significantly more patients aged over 65 years (p = 0.004), an increased use of absorbable dressings and local haemostatic agents (Nasopore and Surgiflo), and fewer admissions (all p < 0.0005). Rates of re-presentation and morbidity, and length of hospital stay were similar. The telephone survey revealed out-patient management to be efficacious and feasible.

Conclusion: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has shifted epistaxis management towards local haemostatic agents and out-patient management; this approach is as safe and effective as previously well-established regimens.

Keywords: Epistaxis; Hemostasis; Patient Reported Outcome Measures.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. National ENT Trainee Research Network. Epistaxis 2016: national audit of management. J Laryngol Otol 2017;131:1131–41 - PubMed
    1. National ENT Trainee Research Network. The British Rhinological Society multidisciplinary consensus recommendations on the hospital management of epistaxis. J Laryngol Otol 2017;131:1142–56 - PubMed
    1. Pope LE, Hobbs CG. Epistaxis: an update on current management. Postgrad Med J 2005;81:309–14 - PMC - PubMed
    1. Cohen O, Shoffel-Havakuk H, Warman M, Tzelnick S, Haimovich Y, Kohlberg GD et al. Early and late recurrent epistaxis admissions: patterns of incidence and risk factors. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017;157:424–31 - PubMed
    1. ENTUK. ENTUK Guidelines for changes in ENT during COVID-19 Pandemic. In: https://www.entuk.org/entuk-guidelines-changes-ent-during-covid-19-pandemic [2 March 2021]