Endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery for severe posterior epistaxis.

OBJECTIVE

To present our experience with endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery in the treatment of severe posterior epistaxis of patients who had previously undergone conservative procedures.

METHODS

Eleven patients with severe posterior epistaxis were treated during a 25-month period with an endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery. The basic principle of the surgical technique is to identify the branches of the sphenopalatine artery through an endoscopic endonasal approach and to apply a titanium clip under direct vision.

RESULTS

The endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery was performed unilaterally in 10 patients and bilaterally in 1 patient, with a total of 12 ligatures. It was possible to identify the sphenopalatine artery in all cases with a successful outcome using this surgical technique alone.

CONCLUSION

Endonasal endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery has been an effective surgical technique for treating severe posterior epistaxis.