Amniotic graft in the management of severe epistaxis due to hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

In selected cases of Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectesia with severe, life-threatening epistaxis, a new surgical procedure has been performed. It consists of a thorough, near total excision of the diseased nasal mucosa and its replacement by an amniotic memebrane graft. The surgical details dealing with preparation of the amniotic graft are described. Surgery has been performed by this technique in six cases. During 9 to 30 min months of follow-up, no nasal bleeding has occurred and the haemoglobin level has remained normal. The aminiotic membrane has served as an adequate grafting material for the lining of the nasal chambers.