Is Bleeding After Nasal Cauterization To Be Expected? Nose Bleeding After Coughing.

Posted on Wed, 13 Jun 2012

Question: I had a nasal cauterization done yesterday by an ENT. This was the second one in two weeks (because the first one wasn't completely effective. My question is: Is a certain amount of post op bleeding normal or to be expected? I woke up this morning and coughed of and on for about 10 min and nose started dripping blood ( very slightly) and stopped on its on after about 3-4 min. Then, just an hour ago it started dripping or seeping on its own. Again, for just a couple of minutes and then stopped. I'm worried that something went wrong or scab come off from all the coughing this morning. I tried to call my ENT, but he's in surgery.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)

Hi

Thanks for the query

Q: Is a certain amount of post op bleeding normal or to be expected?

A: It is very unusual to have bleeding in the post cauterization period if the bleeder has been correctly identified and cauterized. But, sometimes there might be some amount of blood clots seen in the post-operative period, that is because of clearing of the accumulated clots in the sinuses.

First of all, let me make things clear for you, as an individual becomes older there are various weak points developed in the blood vessels which are termed as aneurysms. These aneurysms become the potential point for bleeding whenever there is even slight increase in the blood pressure. During endoscopy not all aneurysms can be cauterized, hence when one bleeder is cauterized the other aneurysm will open-up.

Secondly, dripping of the nose after cauterization can also be due to overzealous cauterization of the bleeder wherein the clots slough out very easily once the edema surrounding the bleeder subsides. The sneezing or coughing will increase the pressure in the nose thus dislodging the clots as well as blowout of the potentially weak aneurysms.

I would suggest you to use oxymetazoline or xylometazoline to induce decongestion of the nasal mucosa and drink plenty of water to keep the mucosa moist and hydrated. If the bleeding continues, request your doctor to administer you vitamin-K injection. Vitamin-K is a potent haemocoagulant, it helps in reducing the post operative bleeding.

Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D