Endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery for severe posterior epistaxis

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with endoscopic ligature of the spheno palatine artery in the treatment of severe posterior epistaxis of patients who had previously undergone conservative procedures. METHODS: Eleven patients with severe posterior epistaxis were treated durin g a 25-month period with an endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine arter y, The basic principle of the surgical technique is to identify the branche s of the sphenopalatine artery through an endoscopic endonasal approach and to apply a titanium clip under direct vision. RESULTS: The endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery was performed unilaterally in 10 patients and bilaterally in 1 patient, with a total of 12 ligatures, It was possible to identify the sphenopalatine artery in all cases with a successful outcome using this surgical technique alone. CONCLUSION: Endonasal endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery has been an effective surgical technique for treating severe posterior epistaxi s.