Novel balloon device to control cavernous sinus bleeding
Reviewed by Gauri Mankekar

In their Letter to the Editor, the authors suggest a draft for a novel balloon catheter device for sinus haemostasis during trans-sphenoidal surgery which is associated with uncontrollable sinus bleeding in 1-8% cases. Their proposed device has a single lumen tube which extends from the embedded end of the catheter to another terminal where a one-way check valve is located. They recommend that following adenoma surgery, the cavity should be filled with gelatin sponge, then the balloon device should be embedded in the cavity and the balloon inflated with air or water gently until haemostasis is achieved. The device could be removed on postoperative day seven transnasally. The letter also discusses current measures for controlling sinus bleeding including dexmedetomidine infusion; coagulating dural layers with angled bipolar coagulators; use of specially devised clip appliers and titanium clips; coil embolisation of intercavernous sinus; application of microfibrillar collagen haemostat or fleece coated fibrin glue and suturing of the medial wall of the cavernous sinus.

Letter: An imaginary hemostasis device for sinus bleeding during transsphenoidal surgery.
Tian C, Wang X, Wang X, Xiong W.
NEUROSURGERY
2016;78(1):E160-1.