Abstract:

Objective   To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ligation of the sphenopalatine artery in the treatment of severe posterior epistaxis. Method   25 patients were hospitalized for the treatment of severe posterior epistaxis, in whom posterior nasal packing was not effective. Endoscopic ligations of the sphenopalatine artery were performed under general anesthesia in 24 patients and local anesthesia in 1. Results   In the procedure, all the sphenopalatine arteries were successfully identified and ligated as the artery leaves the sphenopalatine foramen. After surgery, 22 patients were successfully controlled without any bleeding. Recurrent epistaxis occurred in one patient after 6 hours after surgery and was successfully treated with posterior nasal packing and discharged after two days. Two patients suffered minor late epistaxis only requiring medical treatment. There were no further bleedings in all patients after 3 to 6 months followup. No complications were found except slight intranasal adhesion in 2 patients. Conclusion   Endoscopic ligation of the sphenopalatine artery is a safe and an effective surgical treatment for patients with severe posterior epistaxis.

Key words: Endoscopic surgical procedures, operative; Epistaxis; Sphenopalatine artery