Nasal Fractures and Closed Nasal Reduction
11 October 2021
Closed reduction nasal fracture recovery is one of the procedures we offer at Nuance. Dr. Sina and Dr. Khavkin are here to ensure that you can recover from your nasal fracture without needing to worry that the injury will have lasting effects on your appearance, or that delayed, open surgery will prolong your healing time.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Nose?
The hallmarks of a nasal fracture are:
- pain;
- swelling;
- an obvious change in the appearance of the nose (newly crooked);
- a palpable "step off" of the nasal bones;
- although it is not always necessary an x-ray of the nose or a CT scan of the face will also show a nasal fracture.
If you have a displaced nasal fracture, where the bone and cartilage have moved from their proper position, a closed nasal reduction is suitable as long as there is no shattered bone.
How is a Closed Nasal Reduction Performed?
Closed nasal reduction is performed without external incisions, so you don’t need to worry about a scar (as opposed to open surgery). You can also consult with the doctor to decide whether you can have local anesthetic only.
Your surgeon will use both their hands and surgical instruments to correct the positioning of your nose. An elevator or forceps will be used to correct a central or lateral depression, which is where the nose is bent to the side. Forceps designed for realigning the septum then straighten the center of your nose. During the procedure, your surgeon will use their free hand to assist the instrument and prevent over-correction, before adding splints or packs to hold your nose in place.
Recovery After a Nasal Fracture Treatment
Recovery is similar to other bone fractures, with healing time varying by severity. If you needed any non-resorbable stitches, these will be removed after about five days. You must avoid blowing your nose for at least 10 days, but you can use nasal decongestants. Generally, surgeons advise patients to limit strenuous physical activity for six weeks.
