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Historical use of silver nitrate for the management of epistaxis – evidence-based practice?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2022

M Green Open the ORCID record for M Green [Opens in a new window] ,
H Tailor Open the ORCID record for H Tailor [Opens in a new window]  and
S Keh
M Green
Affiliation:
Medical School, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
H Tailor*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
S Keh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Mr Hitesh Tailor, Department of Otolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, Scotland, UK E-mail: mr.htailor@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

Epistaxis is one of the most common emergencies presenting to the ENT service, and silver nitrate cautery is the mainstay of epistaxis treatment in most centres worldwide. This review aimed to ascertain the historical evidence behind current common practice.

Method

A review was conducted of historical published literature pertaining to epistaxis management.

Results

Silver in medicine dates back to 4000 BC, with silver nitrate first being used in 69 BC. Modern medical use for epistaxis is documented in case reports over the last 200 years.

Conclusion

The precise origin and evidence-based practice of using silver nitrate for epistaxis is not well-established or understood. The mechanism of action is questionable; novel research of silver nitrate for this common ENT emergency presentation may be required.

Keywords

EpistaxisSilver NitrateCautery
Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 137 , Issue 9 , September 2023 , pp. 962 - 964
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Mr H Tailor takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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