Table 2 Characteristics of included studies on nasal packing and treatment of epistaxis
Baig et al. 2015 [14] | RCT with high risk of bias | 3 | 60 | Adult patients presenting with epistaxis. | Number of blood spatters on surgical mouth mask and visor of physician (visual inspection) | Surgical face masks worn by patients covering their mouths decrease the risk of blood contamination. | Indirect |
Hassan et al. 2003 [15] | Descriptive, cross sectional study | N/A | 18 | Adult patients presenting with epistaxis. | Number of blood spatters on surgical mouth mask, visor and gowns of physician (visual inspection) | Surgical face masks worn by patients covering their mouths decrease the risk of blood contamination. | Indirect |
Wallace et al. 2002 [16] | Descriptive, cross sectional study | N/A | 50 | Adult patients presenting with epistaxis. | Number of blood spatters on protective glasses of physician (visual inspection) | Contamination of the protective glasses with blood occurred in 18% of cases. | Indirect |