S121 – Balloons in Management of Epistaxis: In-Vitro Study

Abstract

Objectives Aim of the study was to access the rate of deflation of 2 commonly used inflatable balloons in management of epistaxis at human body temperature. Methods This in-vitro experimental study was conducted at the department of Otolaryngology in Warrington Hospital, UK. 20 randomly selected Foley's and Brighton balloon catheters each were inflated with 10 mls of air or water and kept at 37 degree centigrade in culture room of the Microbiology department. The rate of deflation at human body temperature in both balloons inflated with air and water at 24 hours & 48 hours in terms of pressure, volume, and diameter were accessed. Results Foley's catheters inflated with air deflated completely within the first 24 hours of the study. The rate of deflation in Foley's inflated with water was faster, when compared to same group of Brighton balloon (paired t-test P<0.05). The pressure in these balloons was much higher than capillary pressure of lining mucosa of post-nasal space. Conclusions If the pressure in post-nasal balloons has to be maintained for more than 24 hours, it is better to use saline/water for inflation. Brighton balloons maintain both pressure and volume for a much longer period than Foley's at human body temperature.