title: Long-term result of out-patient neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser photocoagulation surgery for patients with epistaxis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term efficacy of out-patient neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser photocoagulation surgery for patients with epistaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective clinical study was conducted. A total of 217 consecutive patients who presented with acute or recurrent epistaxis received neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser photocoagulation treatment in an out-patient setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At three years, 94 per cent of acute epistaxis patients versus 88 per cent of recurrent epistaxis patients reported no bleeding. The outcome scores at 12 weeks and 3 years after treatment showed no significant differences between the 2 groups (p = 0.207 and p = 0.186). However, there was a significant difference in outcome scores at four weeks after treatment (p = 0.034). The median (and mean ± standard deviation) pain levels experienced during the laser operation (performed in an office setting) were 4.0 (3.75 ± 2.09) in the acute epistaxis group and 4.0 (3.83 ± 2.01) in the recurrent epistaxis group. Neither group had any complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser photocoagulation is desirable in the treatment of both acute and recurrent epistaxis, and has long-lasting efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Surgery,Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital,Fudan University,Shanghai,China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Surgery,Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital,Fudan University,Shanghai,China.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology,Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital,Fudan University,Shanghai,China.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008028:Light Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Epistaxis; Laser; Photocoagulation