[Severe emergency epistaxis].

Selective ligature of the nutrient vessels of the nasal mucosa is an effective method of controlling massive epistaxis. Careful identification of the site of the haemorrhage is essential. One cause of immediate failure was an error in indication and another, lack of precision in locating a vascular tumour. With a short stay in hospital (the average is a week) we have achieved complete control over almost every very serious case of epistaxis we have been called upon to treat. Surgical sequelae have been minimal. In particular we found no mucosal vasomotor disorders such as those described in some operations involving the back of the pterygo-maxillary fossa.