Immediate or Acute Nasal or Nose Fracture

Immediate or acute nasal fractures management can lead to long term issues. Proper management techniques can reduce nasal revision rate. A lower incidence of revision is attributed to complete assessment, use of outpatient controlled general anesthesia, and proper treatment of the septum in cases with severe septal fracture dislocation.

The nose and the eyes are the most prominent facial features. A fracture of the nasal pyramid is the most common facial fracture. The increasing prevalence of this injury presents the plastic surgeon with challenging treatment options. Although nasal fractures are often discussed as minor injuries. Traditionally these injuries have been reduced in a less than optimal manner in Emergency Rooms or in the office. Sometimes this is done after swelling has already created a stiff skin and soft tissue envelope. Usually the patient is told that this injury will be revised in a year. Revision rhinoplasty for traumatic nasal deformity is a difficult procedure.a

The numerous factors that contribute to suboptimal aesthetic and functional end results include timing, edema, undetected preexisting nasal deformity, and occult septal deviation/injury. In order to improve results I recommend the immediate or acute treatment of nasal or nose fractures in an effort to correct assess and treat these injuries to improve outcomes.