title: National long-lasting effect of endonasal endoscopic sphenopalatine artery clipping for epistaxis.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  We consider sphenopalatine artery ligation to be a safe and effective treatment of posterior epistaxis as the long-term need for revision surgery and the complication rates are low. Surgery should be considered earlier in the treatment of posterior epistaxis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Posterior epistaxis is common and surgical endoscopic ligation of the sphenopalatine arteries is indicated in severe cases. Knowledge about long-term effects and complications is sparse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within 2001-2006, 78 patients underwent endonasal endoscopic-guided surgery for posterior epistaxis in one of the eight ENT clinics in Denmark treating these patients. In 2011, 45 patients were still alive and eligible for the study. Patients were contacted by telephone and invited to complete an interview questionnaire on late adverse affects and recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 42 of 45 patients participated in the mean follow-up. The mean follow-up was 6.7 years: 90% of patients (n = 38) obtained an effect of the treatment during follow-up; 78% (n = 33) had no recurrent epistaxis, 12% (n = 5) had recurrent epistaxis but only needed non-surgical specialized treatment; 10% (n = 4) required revision surgery due to recurrent epistaxis within the 6.7 mean years of follow-up; and 26% of the patients had minor postoperative complications, permanent nasal crusting being most persistent and frequent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. lisbethludvigsen@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Lisbeth Ludvigsen
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Gede
authors.forename: Kasper
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aanaes
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Collatz
authors.forename: Per Leganger
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Buchwald
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000098:blood supply*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult