ePoster
Presentation Description
Institution: Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick - NSW, Australia
Aims: Post-operative epistaxis is a potentially life-threatening complication of surgery, with no consensus guidelines on management. We aimed to determine what the current clinical practices are for Australian and New Zealand Otolaryngologists.
Methodology: A survey was sent to the mailing list of Otolaryngologists from the New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (NZSOHNS) and the Australian Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ASOHNS) and left open for 1 month. Characteristics of their experience and practice were collected as well as preferences on their management of post operative epistaxis.
Results: 146 responded, 42 of whom were fellowship trained rhinologists. The majority practiced in both public and private practice, and were comfortable with managing post operative epistaxis. 86% routinely prescribed systemic tranexamic acid and 34% routinely used prophylactic antibiotics, which was statistically positively correlated with number of years post-FRACS. 78% restart sinus rinses within the first 72 hours. Following anterior nasal pressure, the most popular next line of treatment was topical agents. Almost 20% of responders would not use silver nitrate citing that it would be unlikely to be of benefit in a post-operative cause of epistaxis. 16% would avoid angioembolisation, mostly due to risk of stroke or blindness. 42% report their management differs in the paediatric population, with the most common change being early take back to theatre
Conclusion: There is variability in the management approach to post-operative epistaxis in Australia and New Zealand. However, common treatments such as systemic TXA use were identified. Further studies are required to determine best practice especially for contentious treatment options.
Speakers
Authors
Authors
Dr Cassie Dow - , Dr Catherine Banks -