Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency coagulation and to compare it
with that of liquid paraffin plus antiseptic cream in the management of recurrent anterior epistaxis.
Design: Prospective clinical trial. Between February 2011 and July 2012, one hundred consecutive
patients with histories of recurrent anterior epistaxis were randomly assigned to receive treatment
consisting of either a combination of liquid paraffin plus antiseptic cream (group 1) or
radiofrequency coagulation (group 2).
Setting: Benha University Hospital.
Main outcome measures: The Epistaxis Severity Score; before treatment, at 4, 12 weeks, 6 and
12 months after treatment, participant’s perception of discomfort during the management and complications.
Results: The severity score of the 94 patients who had full data at 4 weeks after treatment shows
no statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, at 12 weeks; 85% of the
radiofrequency group versus 40% of paraffin-antiseptic group patients had reported no bleeding.
At 6 months; 74% of the radiofrequency group versus 25% of the paraffin-antiseptic group patients
reported no bleeding. At 12 months, 70% of the radiofrequency group versus 23% of the paraffinantiseptic
group patients reported no bleeding. Both groups had no complications. The level of pain
associated with the procedure was tolerable. Mean duration of the radiofrequency procedure was
14.2 min.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that radiofrequency coagulation is a safe, convenient rapid and
simple procedure that is associated with a significant improvement in epistaxis severity in cases of
recurrent anterior epistaxis. This therapy could be performed in office settings.