THE USE OF MEROCEL NASAL PACKS IN THE TREATMENT OF EPISTAXIS

Over the period of a year, Merocel nasal packs were used routinely as the primary form of packing in patients referred to the hospital with epistaxis that had not resolved with simple measures, and in whom pack ing was thought to be required. Their effectiveness was assessed. The packing was usually performed by inexperienced senior house officers. The Merocel packs successfully controlled bleeding in 91.5 per cent of the patients in whom they were used. Use of the correct insertion tec hnique is very important but is very easy to learn and perform. The ac tual insertion takes only a couple of seconds. Discomfort during inser tion, whilst in situ and on removal was assessed. Merocel nasal packin g is an effective form of first line treatment in patients with epista xis.