title: Silver nitrate cauterisation, does concentration matter?
abstract: Epistaxis from the anterior septum is frequently treated with a topical application of silver nitrate. There are two concentrations commercially available and in use by otolaryngologists, these are 75% and 95% silver nitrate. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the histological effect of the two different silver nitrate concentrations on mucosal tissue at a fixed contact time of 5 s. Twelve children undergoing routine tonsillectomy were included in this study. Prominent blood vessels on the mucosal surface of the tonsils were identified and a single vessel on each tonsil was selected for application of either 75% or 95% concentration of silver nitrate for 5 s. Depth of penetration across the tonsil tissue was measured following application of the two different silver nitrate concentrations. This study demonstrated a significant difference in depth of tissue penetration with the 95% averaging a twofold increase in penetration depth. It is likely that the increased depth of penetration with 95% silver nitrate may increase the risk of complication of nasal cautery such as septal perforation, particularly in patients undergoing repeated or bilateral nasal cautery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The National Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. mohamin@rcsi.ie
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Glynn
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phelan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sheahan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crotty
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McShane
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009300:Nasal Septum; D012835:Silver Nitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D012835:Silver Nitrate