Nasal Fracture Surgery

Nasal Fracture Surgery (Nasal Fracture Repair)

Fractures of the nasal bone or cartilage caused by various traumas are serious conditions that require immediate treatment. Intervention is required within 1-2 hours following the fracture. If intervention is not performed within 1-2 hours, interventions to be performed after 2-3 days in adults and 7-10 days in children may not provide improvement in the nose.

Intervention may be in the form of closed reduction or nasal fracture surgery depending on the severity of the impact.

Untreated nasal fractures cause breathing problems or aesthetic problems.

Closed Reduction

Closed reduction is not a surgical method; the displaced bones and cartilages are put back into place with the help of a special tool under local anesthesia. It can be performed within 2 weeks after the trauma.

After the placement is performed, a tampon is placed inside the nose. Fixation is done by placing a plaster or splint on the outside of the nose. The tampons are removed 2 days after the procedure, and the plaster is removed after 1 week. The nose should be protected from impacts to prevent re-injury.

Nasal Fracture Surgery (Nasal Fracture Repair)

If the nasal fracture is so severe that it cannot be corrected without surgery, or if there is a comminuted fracture, or if 2 weeks have passed after the impact and no intervention has been performed, the solution is nasal fracture surgery (nasal fracture repair). Thus, the nose is corrected both functionally and aesthetically. However, 2-3 months must pass after the trauma for the surgery to be performed.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia in 2-3 hours on average.

After Nasal Fracture Surgery

The postoperative process following nasal fracture surgery is as follows:

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• Patients typically stay in the hospital for 1 night.
• Bruising after the operation is normal and resolves within 1 week.
• Swelling subsides in approximately 15 days.
• The plaster is removed around the 5th–7th day after the operation.
• Cold compresses should be applied to the upper lip and the cheek areas on both sides of the nose. Compresses should be applied for 45 minutes with a 15-minute break, within each hour.
• No visible scars remain on the nose after healing.
• During the period recommended by the doctor, the head should be elevated (using 2–3 stacked pillows), and the patient should avoid sleeping face down.
• Care should be taken to keep the plaster dry.
• The environment should not be excessively hot or cold.
• Complete healing of the nose takes 3–6 months.