Abstract: Objective · To compare the clinical efficacy of cryotherapy and microwave therapy for Little’s area idiopathic epistaxis in children.  Methods · Clinical data of 675 children with idiopathic epistaxis treated in outpatient service of Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from July 2009 to July 2015 were collected, who were divided into cryotherapy group (566 cases) and microwave therapy group (109 cases). The overall inadequacy of the patients was evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) in the operation, and then the patients were followed up for one year. The curative rates of the two groups were compared.  Results · The curative rates of cryotherapy group and microwave therapy group were 96.20% and 86.67%, respectively. The VAS score of the cryotherapy group was better than that of the microwave therapy group (P=0.000), and the mucosa of the cryotherapy group recovered well without scars.  Conclusion · The cryotherapy for Little’s area idiopathic epistaxis in children was safe, effective and simple, with the mucosa recovering well postoperatively, which can improve curative rate and reduce patients’ pain. Meanwhile it was more economical, and easier to be accepted by patients and their families.

Key words: children epistaxis, cryotherapy, microwave therapy