Inadequate nasal packing in the treatment of posterior epistaxis can result in an increase in patient morbidity and mortality, and also hospital expenditure. The presence of a septal spur or septal deviation anterior to the bleeding may prevent sufficient local pressure over the bleeding point with a ribbon gauze pack. A modified Jobson-Horne probe can be used to ensure a tight ribbon gauze application over the bleeding point behind the septal spur or deviation.