• T Roxanne Link, Stephen F Conley, Valerie Flanary, and Joseph E Kerschner.
• Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
• Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2006 Aug 1; 70 (8): 1439-42.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the rate of control of epistaxis in patients with bilateral complaints using silver nitrate and to assess short-term complications from this therapy.Study Design And SettingRetrospective chart review with prospective incident case identification in a tertiary referral pediatric otolaryngology practice.Subjects And InterventionsForty-six consecutive patients presenting to a single pediatric otolaryngologist with complaints of bilateral epistaxis received bilateral silver nitrate cauterization to the anterior septum and were seen in follow-up 2 months later to assess for control of epistaxis and complications from this therapy.ResultsNinety-three percent (43/46) of patients followed-up at 2 months after therapy. About 93% (40/43) had total or near-total resolution of their epistaxis. Five percent (2/43) of patients returned to the clinic after initial successful control for a second cauterization during the period of study. No significant complications of infection, perforation, long-term crusting, tattooing or mucocutaneous or allergic reactions were identified.ConclusionsBilateral epistaxis can be treated at a single visit with bilateral silver nitrate therapy in children. This treatment is highly effective, well-tolerated, and appears to have a low rate of complications.

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