title: Endoscopic cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery in pediatric intractable posterior epistaxis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the rule of endoscopic sphenopalatine artery cauterization in posterior intractable epistaxis in pediatric age group as regard technical difficulty, efficacy, and safety in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2008 to February 2011, 7 children (4 male, 3 female) with idiopathic intractable posterior epistaxis, patients' age ranged from 8 to 14 years (10.7 average). All patients underwent preoperative laboratory investigations to exclude bleeding or coagulation disorders and CT paranasal sinus. All patients underwent endoscopic sphenopalatine artery cauterization (7 procedures for 7 patients, 5 were in the right side and 2 were in the left side).
  
  
  RESULTS
  postoperative evaluation showed no recurrence for epistaxis during the post operative follow up period. Also, no complications were found. The average follow up period was 17.8 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic cauterization of sphenopalatine artery in pediatric age group was effective and safe technique providing that the surgeon has a good experience regarding pediatric endoscopic sinonasal anatomy. Minimal endoscopic technique in this age group is important to avoid unnecessary operative and postoperative complications. Avoid excessive cauterization to lateral nasal wall in this technique is crucial to avoid unexpected nerve injury or tissue necrosis.
authors.affiliation: ORL Department Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. heshameladl@mans.edu.eg
authors.forename: Hesham Mohammad
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Eladl
authors.forename: Yasser W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Khafagy
authors.forename: Mahamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abu-Samra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002425:Cautery / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D016558:Hemostasis, Endoscopic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008438:Maxillary Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000098:blood supply*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000098:blood supply*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome