[Nasal closure as definitive treatment for epistaxis in Rendu-Osler-Weber disease].

OBJECTIVE

To show the result of this surgical technique for the treatment of nasal bleeding in Rendu-Osler-Weber disease.

METHOD

After great efforts to obtain informed consent for the procedure, considered as a final therapeutic attempt, we present here the surgical technique used in a severe long-standing case with frequent symptoms that required a large number of admissions to our hospital and caused our patient considerable social, family and work-related psychological problems.

RESULTS

The surgical procedure was performed 14 months ago, with no further epistaxis since then, thus bringing to an end the emergency admissions, rated at 7 per year, and reducing consultations at the digestive and psychological clinics. The laboratory studies (haematocrit, complete blood count, bleeding time) have improved greatly.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a safe technique, well tolerated by the patient, that avoids additional pathologies and reduces costs.