MAIN RISK FACTORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF EPISTAXIS AT IPO HOSPITAL SURGICAL CENTER

Introduction: Epistaxis is considered one of the main emergencies within the specialty of otorhinolaryngology. It is estimated that 60% of the population has gone through or will go through at least 1 episode of epistaxis during their lifetime. Only 6%, however, require medical intervention. Still, in some cases the severity is such that patients require emergency intervention at risk of death. Objectives: Evaluate the main risk factors and identify the epidemiological profile – age, sex, comorbidities of patients with epistaxis who have required intervention in a surgical center. Methodology: This is a retrospective analytical study with a quantitative approach of patients treated in the emergency department of IPO Hospital, who required surgical intervention between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Results: A total of 58 medical records were reviewed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, with 38 male patients (65.5%) and 20 female patients (34.5%). The age group of patients ranged from 10 to 88 years, the most prevalent being from 21 to 30 years, 22.4%. The predisposing factors were: recent nasal surgery (74.1%), systemic arterial hypertension (13.7%), coagulopathies (1.7%). The main procedures were: cauterization of the precise bleeding site (84.4%), cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery (10.3%) and cauterization of the anterior ethmoidal artery (5.3%). Conclusion: The main predisposing factors associated with epistaxis were nasal surgeries, systemic arterial hypertension and coagulopathies. Early intervention in a surgical center is indicated for patients with severe epistaxis and predisposing factors, while avoiding prolonged hospitalization and morbidities associated with nasal packing.