The Etiology and Management of Epistaxis.

The first mention of epistaxis in medical literature dates back in the year 18672. Bleeding originating from the anterior nasal cavity was managed with packing the nostril with pledgets. When the bleeding was originating from the posterior nasal cavity, a pledget secured in a wire was passed down the nostril to tamponade the posterior nasal space and arrest the bleed. In 1901, McKenzie started using adrenaline to arrest the bleed in more severe cases. Surgical treatment of epistaxis was first described in the mid-19th century for the arrest of severe posterior epistaxis2-4. The same management principles are used up to date for the management of epistaxis according to bleeding location, severity and treatment compliance5.