Objective: To compare the effects of chemical cauterization (silver nitrate) and bipolar electro-cauterization in the treatment of epistaxis.

Materials and Methods: Patients aged 8 to 16 years who had unilateral recurrent active mucosal bleeding at the anterior area of the septum despite of medical treatment, were enrolled. Patients with systemic drug use, bleeding diathesis, and recent exposition to trauma were excluded from the study. Patients were divided into two groups, Group 1 was treated by chemical cauterization (n=55), Group 2 was treated by bipolar electro-cauterization (n=60). After treatment, recurrent bleeding in the groups and recovery times in the nasal mucosa were assessed.

Results: Of the 115 patients studied, 55 were in Group 1 and 60 were in Group 2. The mean recovery time of the patients in Group 1 was 7.16±1.72 days, while in Group 2, this time was 8.31±1.76 days (P<0.05). During the 90 days after treatment, recurrent nasal bleeding was seen in 8 patients and in 10 patients in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (P>0.05).

Conclusion: While there was no difference between the application of silver nitrate and bipolar electrocautery in terms of efficacy on hemorrhage in epistaxis, the recovery of nasal mucosa was faster after the treatment by silver nitrate cautery.