CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT OF EPISTAXIS
Nurbaiti Nazarudin (a*), Iwan Darmawan Ma^mur (b)

a) Department of Ear Nose Throat-Head and Neck Surgery Faculty of Medicine Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani-Rumah Sakit Dustira, Cimahi, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
b) Department of Surgery Faculty of Medicine Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani-Rumah Sakit Dustira, Cimahi, Jawa Barat, Indonesia

Abstract

Epistaxis (nosebleed) is defined as the bleeding from inside the nose or nasal cavity. It is one of the most common emergencies in Otorhinolaryngology worldwide which often requires admission to the hospital. About 60% of the population has had an epistaxis, and 6% require serious and life-threatening treatment. The purpose of writing this article is to find out the cause and treatment of epistaxis. The causes of epistaxis are varied and both local and systemic factors may contribute. Nosebleeds are caused by the rupture of a blood vessel within the nasal mucosa. Most nosebleeds occur in the anterior part of the nose. Several factors have been shown to correlate strongly with epistaxis. Epistaxis management is usually done in the Emergency Department (ED). The principle of epistaxis management is to improve the general state, find the source of bleeding, stop bleeding, and look for causative factors to prevent repeated bleeding. There is no definite protocol for the management of epistaxis, although various treatment methods are available for the management ranging from compression therapy, the use of vasoconstrictor drugs, cauterization (chemical/electric), anterior nasal packing, posterior nasal packing, to embolisation or arterial ligation.

Keywords: causes, epistaxis, management

Topic: Clinical Practice