Clinical Analysis of the Nasal Bone Fracture

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Nasal bone fracture is the most common facial fracture. Although nasal bone fractures are considered to be minor injuries, the incidence of post-traumatic nasal deformity remains high. This study is designed to support management and patient satisfaction by classifying the simple nasal bone fracture, and survey the care method and result, which is compared with other studies. METHODS: From May 2008 to April 2010, 334 patients with simple nasal bone fractures visited our hospital. The incidence, cause, types of nasal bone fracture, treatment, and complications are analyzed according to clinical examination, patient's record and radiographic images. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 30 years old, with 74% of the patients having been male, and 26% were female. The highest incidence of this fracture was between late teens to late twenties. The causes of nasal bone fracture were the following having slipped or fallen down(39%), violence(16%), sports accident(14%), traffic accident(11%), industrial accident(6%), and others(16%). Patient's radiographic images were analyzed by Stranc and Robertson classification, frontal impact plane I was 38%, plane II was 16%, plane III was 1%, lateral impact plane I was 21%, plane II was 21%, and plane III was 3%. On average, surgical treatment was performed 7.2 days after trauma under general anesthesia. Closed reduction of nasal bone fracture was performed in 99% of patients. In patients with septal injuries, septal management was performed in 76.7% of cases. Aesthetic surgery was done on same time in 24% of patients. There were some complications, such as residual nasal deformity(7.2%), nasal obstruction(0.9%) and hyposmia(0.3%). CONCLUSION: According to this study, nasal bone fractures occurred commonly in physically active age groups(age 15~29 years), as a result of having slipped or fallen down, at afternoon and at night time. And it could be treated successfully by closed reduction and septoplasty by 7 days after trauma.