title: How safe is submucosal diathermy?
abstract: Submucosal diathermy (SMD) is a common surgical procedure carried out to improve the nasal airway. A case is presented in which it was followed by profuse epistaxis which required transfusion of 28 units of blood, eight units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and four units of platelets within 14 days.
authors.affiliation: Blond McIndoe Centre for Medical Research, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, Sussex.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Premachandra
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Bull
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Mackay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009336:Necrosis / Q000209:etiology; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*