Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate comorbidities and anticoagulant-antiaggregant use according to the severity of bleeding and to evaluate the complete blood count coagulation parameters in patients with epistaxis.

METHODS: Between May 2019 and December 2020, a total of 314 applications of 289 patients (168 males, 121 females; mean age: 38±26.5 years; range, 1 to 88 years) who were referred to our clinic with epistaxis were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups as Group 1 including patients who had no bleeding focus and were left untreated; Group 2 including patients with dried, vascularized areas that might have bleeding, or who had a mucosal active bleeding focus in the form of leakage and those who underwent chemical cauterization with silver nitrate; and Group 3 including patients with active arterial or venous focus of severe bleeding who underwent electrocauterization or packing.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the age, hypertension, anticoagulant-antiaggregant use, and platelet values among the groups. There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of re-bleeding from the same focus. A statistically significant increase was observed in epistaxis admissions in summer and winter periods, compared to spring and autumn. A significant difference was observed between silver nitrate and electrocauterization application in terms of re-bleeding from the same focus.

CONCLUSION: Epistaxis is associated with significant morbidity and rare mortality. The most appropriate procedure for epistaxis management would be the procedure that performs hemostasis with minimal pain and allows patients to return to their normal daily activities as soon as possible. To choose the appropriate method in the treatment of patients presenting with epistaxis, bleeding should be well evaluated.