Complications of Postnasal Packing for Epistaxis

Abstract

Postnasal packing has been an accepted method in the management of epistaxis for many years and is widely used. It is often effective in instances of severe bleeding, especially from the posterior part of the nose, that are not controlled with anterior packing, spot or precision packing, cautery, and other simple measures. The usual methods have been described many times, and are a part of nearly every physician's training.^* The purpose of this report is to describe certain complications and disadvantages of the usual methods, to discuss the principles involved in their use, and to bring further attention to a method that avoids these disadvantages and more logically fulfills the principles involved. THE ORDINARY POSTNASAL PACK The usual postnasal pack is a single large mass of gauze, cotton, air-filled rubber, or other material, which is of such size as to fill the superior nasopharynx snugly. It is maintained in position