Cauterization for Chronic Nosebleeds (Epistaxis)
Cauterization is an effective treatment for chronic nosebleeds that involves burning the nose with an electrical device to seal blood vessels and prevent future bleeding. Patients who experience chronic nosebleeds often have an exposed blood vessel in the nose. By closing off this blood vessel, most patients will experience a significantly lower amount of nosebleeds, with most experiencing complete relief.
During the cauterization procedure, your doctor will numb the nose with a local anesthetic to relieve any potential discomfort. Some patients may be put to sleep under general anesthesia, depending on the severity of their condition and overall health. The doctor will use an endoscope to inspect the lining of the nose and precisely target the source of the frequent nosebleeds. This small area will then be burned with a chemical agent or electrical device that coagulates the tissue in the area.
After the procedure, patients may experience mild bleeding, but this usually goes away after a week or two. You should avoid blowing your nose for about a week after this procedure, and will be required to visit the doctor for a follow-up appointment after about a month. Most patients heal successfully from this procedure and will experience few or no nosebleeds in the future.