Surgical management of intractable epistaxis:Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery coagulation

Introduction: Epistaxis is one of the most common challenges for emergency departments. Hypertension is regarded as a risk factor of epistaxis. Anticoagulant therapy in hypertensive patients increases the risk of nosebleed even more. Approximately 10% of patients with epistaxis require hospital admission for this condition, some of which need surgical intervention. Management can be problematic, mainly in case of recurrent posterior epistaxis. Over the past decade, with the widespread popularization of endoscopic sinus surgery and the deeper understanding of local regional anatomy, endoscopic control of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) has been advocated as an effective alternative for the control of posterior epistaxis.

Aim: The aim of this article is to familiarize the reader with local anatomy and surgical technique of SPA ligation/coagulation.

Material and method: The SPA ligation or coagulation is indicated for intractable epistaxis, which is defined as recurrent bleeding despite adequate anterior and posterior nasal packing. The sphenopalatine artery (SPA) is a terminal branch of the internal maxillary artery, which is a branch of the external carotid artery. The SPA supplies the turbinates, the lateral nasal wall and nasal septum. The most important anatomical landmark enabling to identify the artery at its entry to the nasal cavity is crista ethmoidalis, which is typically located above the sphenopalatine foramen. The artery can be localized with or without creating the middle antrostomy. Locating the SPA without opening of the maxillary sinus can be challenging for inexperienced surgeon. The middle-meatal antrostomy prior to SPA ligation reveals more anatomical landmarks. Efficacy of SPA coagulation/ligation ranges between 74 to 100%. Failure to localize all the branches of the SPA is regarded as the most common reason for re-bleeding. Complications of the procedure are rare, mild and transient.

Conclusion: Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery coagulation or ligation is a safe and effective technique for controlling persistent posterior epistaxis. Understanding the anatomic relationships is important in performing this procedure. It has become established standard treatment for intractable epistaxis.