A microbiological study of anterior nasal packs in epistaxis

Bleeding per nose is one of the commonest ailment encountered by each and every otolaryngologyst. Since hemostasis is immediate concern, anterior nasal pressure pack is put and is usually allowed to remain for 24-72 hours. Blood soaked pack and raw mucosal surface are good media for bacterial multiplication resulting in infection including sinusitis and sometimes toxic shock syndromes. Present study is conducted to work out bacterial flora of anterior nasal pack and effect of systemic antibiotics in controlling it. Thirty cases of epistaxis of different etiology were included. Out of these 26 cases were positive on culture. These included Staphylococcus aureus 70%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa twenty three percent. Klabsiella pneumonia and proteus mirabilis 3.3%, Streptococcus and Hemolyticus 3.3%. Details of type and duration of packing and its relation with organism cultured are discussed. It is concluded that the packing material should be soaked with antibiotics prior to use and should not be kept for more than 48 hours. And systemic antibiotics does not have any significant on this local infection due to packing.