Introduction
Epistaxis is extremely common and is usually managed with simple first aid measures in the community. It includes acute haemorrhage and refractory recurrent epistaxis. The majority of cases are self-limiting and do not require medical intervention. The reported incidence of an episode of epistaxis occurring during a lifetime is approximately 60 per cent, with less than 10 per cent of cases requiring medical attention.Reference Gifford and Orlandi1 There is a bimodal distribution of epistaxis incidence, with peaks in children and older adults. The peak incidence of epistaxis in adults is in 45–65-year-olds, in whom the incidence of severe posterior bleeding is greater.Reference Watkinson, Mackay and Bull2
The aetiology of epistaxis is divided into local and systemic factors. Local factors include trauma, local inflammatory reactions, foreign bodies, post-surgical anatomical deformities, intranasal tumours, chemical inhalants, nasal-prong oxygen administration and continuous positive airway pressure therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea. Systemic causes of epistaxis include: vascular disorders, especially hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia; blood dyscrasias; haematological malignancies; and drugs affecting the normal clotting mechanism.Reference Krajina and Chrobok3 Although local and general causes can occasionally be identified, the majority of cases (80–90 per cent) are idiopathic.Reference Pope and Hobbs4
Most epistaxis occurs on the anterior nasal septum at a region called Little's area, which is supplied by Kiesselbach's plexus. This network of vessels is a confluence of three terminal arteries and accounts for 90–95 per cent of epistaxis cases.Reference Chiu and Dunn5
There are many ways to achieve haemostasis in this region, such as by applying pressure to the nostrils, or by utilising: chemical or electrical cauterisation, topical haemostatic or vasoconstricting agents, cryotherapy, hot water irrigation, or anterior nasal packing.Reference Viehweg, Roberson and Hudson6 The optimal treatment would accomplish haemostasis with minimal pain, no re-bleeding and with limited impact on patients’ daily activities. Unfortunately, there is limited evidence in the literature on how to best manage and prevent recurrent epistaxis.
In our previous study, we compared the efficacy of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser photocoagulation with that of liquid paraffin plus antiseptic cream in the management of recurrent epistaxis.Reference Zhang and Qiu7 The outcome at 4 weeks after treatment showed no significant difference between the 2 treatment groups; however, the outcome score at 12 weeks after treatment showed a significant difference between the 2 groups. Owing to some weaknesses in the former study, we decided to conduct a further study with a larger sample and a longer follow-up period, in order to evaluate the efficacy of out-patient Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation surgery performed for epistaxis.
Materials and methods
Ethical considerations
This study was approved by the Committee of Human Research Ethics at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai. Informed consent was obtained prior to participation in the study.
Participants
A retrospective study was undertaken. The study comprised patients with anterior epistaxis, determined by anterior rhinoscopy, who presented to the Otolaryngology Department at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University between February and September 2011.
All patients had a normal full blood count, including: white blood cell count and white blood cell types (white blood cell differential); red blood cell count; haematocrit levels; haemoglobin levels; red blood cell indices (mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration); platelet (thrombocyte) count; mean platelet volume; and normal coagulation test values (including D-dimer concentration, prothrombin time and international normalised ratio, and activated partial thromboplastin time).
The exclusion criteria were: pregnancy; active haemorrhage with risk of mortality; epistaxis after a nasal operation; nasal neoplasm; hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia; systemic diseases such as known bleeding disorders and untreated hypertension; silver nitrate cautery or other treatment within one month; and posterior epistaxis evaluated by endoscopy.
All eligible subjects were treated as out-patients and by the same physician.
Trial design
All patients were allocated to one of two groups according to the duration of symptoms. Patients with symptoms lasting less than eight weeks were classified as acute epistaxis cases, whereas those with symptoms lasting more than one year were classified as recurrent epistaxis cases.
All patients underwent Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation once only, with no additional agents. Patients received routine care when seen in the clinic, consisting of history, physical examination, tests and nasal endoscopy. The patients were followed up 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 3 years after treatment.
Laser procedure
The Nd:YAG laser treatments were performed in the operating theatre under local anaesthesia. First, the nose was moistened, and crusts and blood clots were removed with gentle saline rinses. The septal mucosa was then infiltrated with a solution containing local anaesthetic and a vasoconstricting agent (1 per cent tetracaine and 1:100 000 adrenaline) for better visualisation of the telangiectasia. Continuous wave Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation was performed at 3 W under magnification using an anterior rhinoscope and magnifying glasses, or with a nasal endoscope. The laser spot size was 1 mm. The laser was specifically applied onto obvious blood vessels. When bleeding was encountered during the operation, a topical vasoconstrictor was applied to temporise the bleeding (the presence of blood in the surgical field can compromise the technique). The laser power was then increased to 5 W. When no further telangiectasia or bleeding was visualised, the laser coagulation was discontinued. This procedure can be completed by one person utilising both the laser tip and the endoscope.
Data collection and follow up
All patients completed questionnaires before and after treatment. The data collected and recorded included demographic parameters, bleeding intensity, nasal bleeding frequency, pain experienced during haemostasis and complications.
The patients ranked the intensity of bleeding as defined by Bergler et al.: 1 = stains on napkin, 2 = soaked napkin or 3 = a bowl needed.Reference Bergler, Sadick, Gotte, Riedel and Hörmann8 The frequency of bleeding was defined as: 1 = less than one epistaxis episode per month, 2 = one episode per month, 3 = one episode per week or 4 = one episode every day or more.
Patients estimated the pain experienced during the laser procedure using a 10-point visual analogue scale, wherein 0 = no discomfort and 10 = unbearable. The outcome score assessed bleeding intensity and frequency after treatment, wherein 0 = no bleeding, 1 = reduced bleeding, 2 = the same amount of bleeding and 3 = worse bleeding.
Statistics
Data were entered into the SPSS 18 statistical software program (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA) for analysis. Demographic data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and mean rank. The paired-samples t-test was used for the analysis of means, the Mann–Whitney U test was used for mean rank and the chi-square test was used for associated factors. A 95 per cent confidence interval was used, and p values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Results
A total of 217 patients with idiopathic epistaxis (118 men and 99 women) were studied; 68 had acute epistaxis and the remaining 149 had recurrent epistaxis. Of these, 10 children (aged 15 years or younger) were excluded. In contrast to adults, epistaxis in children is usually caused by picking, rubbing or hitting their nose, and infection.Reference McGarry9, Reference Burton and Doree10 A further 4 patients with traumatic epistaxis, 9 with bleeding from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus tumours, 2 with post-operative epistaxis, and 15 with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia were excluded because the methods to stop such bleeding differ from those for idiopathic epistaxis. Thirty-one patients were lost to follow up, including two patients who died. Thirty-two patients were excluded for non-conformity with the study criteria.
Table I shows the baseline characteristics of each group, which demonstrates some interesting differences. The mean age of the acute epistaxis group was higher than that of the recurrent epistaxis group (p < 0.001). The bleeding intensity of past epistaxis was significantly greater in the acute epistaxis group than in the recurrent epistaxis group (p < 0.001) (Table I). There was an obvious difference between the two groups in terms of symptom duration: patients in the acute epistaxis group experienced symptoms over a significantly shorter timeframe because of the grouping criteria (p < 0.001). In addition, there were more patients with hypertension in the acute epistaxis group than in the recurrent epistaxis group.
Table I Patient characteristics for each group*
Data represent numbers (and percentages) of patients unless indicated otherwise.
* Total n = 217; †n = 68; ‡n = 149. SD = standard deviation
The procedure-related pain, the operative time and the bleeding situation during the procedure are shown in Table II. The procedure was generally short in duration and well tolerated by patients. The operative time was less in the acute epistaxis group than in the recurrent epistaxis group (p < 0.05). All patients were able to go home on the day of surgery and resume their daily activities. There was no retained material in the nasal cavity of most patients, with the exception of six patients in the recurrent epistaxis group and two patients in the acute epistaxis group who required a small piece of gelatine sponge in their nasal cavity to prevent bleeding. In general, the patients did not feel any discomfort after treatment, and the treatment did not have a significant impact on their life.
Table II Operative time, intra-operative pain and bleeding situation
*n = 68; †n = 149. Min = minutes; SD = standard deviation; VAS = visual analogue scale
Tables III and IV show significant differences in bleeding intensity and frequency before and after treatment (up to three years) in the two groups.
Table III Pre- and post-treatment (three years) bleeding intensity
Data represent numbers (and percentages) of patients. *n = 68; †n = 149. 0 = no bleeding; 1 = stains on napkin; 2 = soaked napkin; 3 = bowl needed
Table IV Pre- and post-treatment (three years) bleeding frequency
Data represent numbers (and percentages) of patients. *n = 68; †n = 149. 0 = no bleeding; 1 = less than one episode per month; 2 = one episode per month; 3 = one episode per week; 4 = one episode every day or more
At three years, 94 per cent of patients in the acute epistaxis group and 88 per cent of patients in the recurrent epistaxis group reported no bleeding (Table V). There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of the outcome score of the 217 patients at 12 weeks and 3 years after treatment (p = 0.207 and p = 0.186). However, there was a significant difference between the two groups for the outcome score at four weeks after treatment (p = 0.034): more patients in the recurrent epistaxis group experienced bleeding than the acute group at four weeks.
Table V Outcome scores at 4 and 12 weeks, and 3 years after treatment
Data represent numbers (and percentages) of patients. 0 = no bleeding; 1 = reduced bleeding; 2 = the same amount of bleeding; 3 = worse bleeding
There were no complications, such as blood transfusion, hospitalisation, visible nasal scars, nasal adhesions or nasal septum perforation, in either study group.
Discussion
Although epistaxis is perceived by many to be a relatively minor problem and the general course of the condition is benign, its management continues to pose a problem to general practitioners and otolaryngologists alike.Reference Murthy, Nilssen, Rao and McClymont11 Recurrent epistaxis can be distressing and alarming, and it causes inconvenience to patients. Furthermore, it results in a significant number of referrals to ENT out-patient clinics. The quality of life of recurrent epistaxis patients is poor;Reference Hoag, Terry, Mitchell, Reh and Merlo12 work and daily life will be affected. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the long-term result of out-patient Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation surgery for patients with epistaxis.
Numerous treatment modalities have been investigated; however, no single method has been accepted as universally ideal. In our previous study, we compared the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation with that of liquid paraffin plus antiseptic cream in the management of recurrent epistaxis.Reference Zhang and Qiu7 The outcome score at 12 weeks after treatment was significantly better in the Nd:YAG laser group than in the medicine group. However, the follow-up duration of that study was short. Hence, this study was conducted, which has a larger sample and a longer follow-up period.
This study adds to previous literature that seeks to identify a treatment which is well tolerated, results in minimal or no bleeding during treatment, prevents recurrences long-term, and is associated with a short recovery time (allowing patients to return to work quickly and resume normal daily activities).
Several previous studies have shown Nd:YAG laser surgery to be effective for treatment of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.Reference Karapantzos, Tsimpiris, Goulis, Van Hoecke, Van Cauwenberge and Danielides13–Reference Mahoney and Shapshay15 However, to our knowledge, there are currently few studies reporting the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser treatment for epistaxis.
With an Nd:YAG laser wavelength of 1064 nm, less absorption occurs in the pigmented tissue compared with the argon (488–514 nm) or potassium titanyl phosphate (532 nm) lasers. This theoretically results in greater depth of penetration and a subsequently greater zone of inflammation.Reference Mahoney and Shapshay15, Reference Shah, Dhingra and Shapshay16 A more extensive zone of inflammation, in turn, increases the damage to the submucosal plexus of veins, which is the origin of epistaxis.
In our study, the most common source of bleeding was the nasal septum; 84 per cent of patients exhibited bleeding from this site, which is similar to the rates reported in the literature.
This study demonstrated that photocoagulation using an Nd:YAG laser had beneficial effects in approximately 97 per cent of patients with acute epistaxis and in 99 per cent of those with recurrent epistaxis. Furthermore, there were no complications of Nd:YAG laser treatment in our series, regardless of whether the epistaxis was acute or recurrent. The median (and mean ± SD) pain levels experienced during the laser operation (performed in an office setting) were 4.0 (3.75 ± 2.09) in the acute epistaxis group and 4.0 (3.83 ± 2.01) in the recurrent epistaxis group, which are levels that can be well tolerated. The duration of the Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation surgery ranged from 2 to 30 minutes, with median (and mean ± SD) values of 5.0 (7.31 ± 5.39) minutes in the acute epistaxis group and 7.0 (8.96 ± 6.07) minutes in the recurrent epistaxis group. The bleeding stopped during the procedure in about three out of four patients. Overall, photocoagulation using an Nd:YAG laser appears to be a well-tolerated intervention for epistaxis patients.
The aetiology of epistaxis is diverse, and includes local and systemic factors. In our study, we found that the average age of acute epistaxis patients was higher than that of recurrent epistaxis patients, and the intensity of bleeding was more serious in the acute epistaxis patients than in the recurrent epistaxis patients. Moreover, there were more patients with hypertension in the acute epistaxis group than in the recurrent epistaxis group. These differences were all statistically significantly different. Overall, the findings indicate that acute epistaxis patients are generally older, the intensity of bleeding is more severe in this group, and hypertension may be one of the main causes of the epistaxis. The majority of recurrent epistaxis cases were idiopathic, which may result in different outcomes.
The outcome scores at 12 weeks and at 3 years after treatment indicated no significant difference between the 2 groups (p = 0.207 and p = 0.186). However, the outcome scores at four weeks after treatment revealed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.034). Although Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation demonstrated effectiveness in more than 97 per cent of cases in both the acute epistaxis and recurrent epistaxis groups, which lasted long-term, the benefits may take effect faster in the acute epistaxis group.
• Epistaxis is a common emergency presentation, but there is no defined and standardised treatment protocol
• Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser photocoagulation is a simple, easy, safe and rapid therapy, which can be performed in an office setting
• This study, with a larger sample and longer follow up, confirmed our previous study findings
• Use of Nd:YAG laser in epistaxis management can reduce hospital admissions and cost, and improve patient experience
The septal mucosa was infiltrated with a solution containing 1 per cent tetracaine and 1:100 000 adrenaline in order to achieve local anaesthetic and better visualisation of the telangiectasias. Despite its vasoconstriction properties, this solution did not influence the efficacy of the treatment. This is because the medicine was not injected into the mucosa, but was infiltrated into the septal mucosa for only a few minutes.
Conclusion
This study employed a larger sample and longer follow-up period than our previous study.Reference Zhang and Qiu7 The findings demonstrated that Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation in the out-patient setting is a safe, convenient and simple procedure that is associated with minimal bleeding and well-tolerated levels of pain. This procedure allows patients to resume work and other daily activities in a short period of time (the same day). The value of this treatment should be generalised.
