The utility of bipolar electrocautery in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.
OBJECTIVE
The surgical treatment of epistaxis associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is varied. Laser therapy is often inadequate for larger complex lesions. This study sought to determine if bipolar cautery can be effectively and safely used in treating HHT-associated epistaxis.


METHODS
Records from all patients with HHT treated surgically over 8 years were reviewed retrospectively. Outcomes or complications were noted in the clinic on follow-up evaluation.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven patients with HHT who underwent surgical treatment of epistaxis were evaluated; 18 were treated with bipolar cautery. Forty-two separate bipolar treatments were performed. No new septal perforations or synechiae were noted. Twenty-two of 42 treatments were coupled with ancillary laser treatments. The bipolar was also used as the sole technique in 20 procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Bipolar electrocautery is a safe and effective tool for the intraoperative control of HHT-related epistaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
Bipolar electrocautery may be used as an adjunct to laser techniques or as a stand-alone technique.


METHODS
C-4.
Ghaheri
Bobak A
BA
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Fong
Karen J
KJ
Hwang
Peter H
PH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004724:Endoscopy; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013683:Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome