New device for the management of postnasal epistaxis by balloon tamponade.

Abstract

Posterior epistaxis may be managed by means of a Foley catheter used in place of traditional posterior packing. The ease and comfort of this method have resulted in an ever-increasing frequency of application. Usual complications of postnasal Foley balloon tamponade involve trauma to the exterior of the nose, which is the conventional site of fixation of the Foley catheter. A simply constructed aluminum-tripod face mask provides superior tractionfixation to the Foley catheter, bypassing the exterior of the nose entirely and dissipating the force of countertraction over the face.