The usual method of controlling epistaxis from the posterior nose is through use of a postnasal pack. Unfortunately, the postnasal pack has several serious disadvantages. First, it is exceedingly uncomfortable to the patient. Second, it commonly causes middleear complications. Third, postnasal packs are too often used as an expedient when a more careful examination might disclose bleeding from a site amenable to local packing.
Recent articles by Hallberg,1 Neivert,2 and others emphasize the advantage of Postnasal packs which fit one choana only. Their packs are shaped so as to provide pressure in the posterior nose rather than in the nasopharynx, where a larger pack may obstruct the Eustachian tube. Directions and illustrations for the construction of packs accompany the articles.*
Just as effective as the conventional postnasal pack and infinitely more pleasant is a small pack placed directly at the bleeding site. Fortunately, insofar as the use of