Anterior epistaxis: a new nasal tampon for fast, effective control.

Epistaxis is the second most common cause of spontaneous bleeding. Of the two categories of epistaxis, mundane and severe, the mundane, usually anterior epistaxis, is the more common. It has been reported that 60% of individuals report at least one episode of epistaxis during their lifetime. Eighty percent of epistaxis occurs in Kiesselbach's plexus, a vascular network in the anterior portion of the nasal septum. We have designed a nasal tampon to control this common variety of epistaxis which is a fast, efficient, and cost-effective method of anterior epistaxis control. The material used in the manufacture of the device (MerocelTM) has been used for over 5 years by the author, both in treatment of severe epistaxis and as a postoperative nasal packing. The design presented here has been used for anterior epistaxis for 18 months without untoward sequelae and with universal success.