Epistaxis management with hilotherapy: a pilot study

Abstract

Background: Hilotherm contoured masks provide facial cooling to produce local vasoconstriction without many of the risks of cryotherapy. Methodology: This pilot study investigates the feasibility of hilotherapy in managing acute epistaxis. Results: Thirteen patients were recruited over 11 months at two hospitals in the North West of England. All patients received conventional initial epistaxis management simultaneously. Five patients had complete cessation and 6 had a reduction in epistaxis during the initial 20 minutes of hilotherapy. No adverse affects were recorded in the pilot cohort during hilotherapy. A post therapy questionnaire showed that patients found the mask easy to fit, secure and comfortable to wear. Conclusions: Hilotherapy has demonstrated positive outcomes in terms of patient satisfaction and safety in this small pilot population. Further randomised controlled studies are now required to investigate if hilotherapy is effective in the management of acute epistaxis.

Keywords

• epistaxis
• hilotherapy
• hilotherm
• nose