title: Endoscopic bipolar diathermy in the management of epistaxis: an effective and cost-efficient treatment.
abstract: Epistaxis is one of the most frequently managed otorhinolaryngological emergencies. This prospective study over a 4-month period involved 38 adult patients presenting with epistaxis who underwent endoscopic bipolar diathermy under local anaesthesia. Thirty-four (89%) of the 38 adults were successfully treated and 28 (74%) of the patients did not require admission. Based on a simple cost-benefit analysis of savings made by avoiding admission, successful immediate treatment of these 28 patients led to a potential saving of at least pound 6804.00. We conclude endoscopic bipolar diathermy under local anaesthesia is an effective, safe and cost-efficient modality of treatment in the management of adult epistaxis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Woolford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D021721:Balloon Occlusion; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003972:Diathermy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000191:economics; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom