Ligation of the external carotid and anterior ethmoidal arteries for severe or unusual epistaxis resulting from facial fractures.

From July 1980 to December 1983, 16 patients with severe posterior epistaxis were treated by arterial ligation. The procedure was successful in all. Two cases of life-threatening and unusual epistaxis resulting from maxillary fractures are presented in detail. The authors conclude that ligation of the external carotid and anterior ethmoidal arteries is a speedy, safe and highly successful method of dealing with posterior epistaxis.