It’s not unusual for patients with post traumatic nasal deformities to present for consultation years after their original nasal fracture. Under these circumstances, nasal fractures are managed very differently than they are immediately following nasal injuries. Immediately after nasal injuries, nasal fractures are treated with a procedure known as a closed nasal reduction. At this point, the bones are still freely moveable. This procedure relocates or resets the nasal bones in proper position. They are then held in this position with a nasal splint.
When patients present years after an injury the bones have usually healed in an abnormal position. Under these circumstances closed reduction won’t work and rhinoplasty surgery is usually necessary.
At this point, a careful analysis needs to be undertaken to evaluate both aesthetic and functional issues. It’s important to make sure that breathing isn’t compromised by a deviated nasal septum. It’s also important to understand the patient’s aesthetic goals.
Rhinoplasty surgery can dramatically impact appearance. The procedure is designed to address the patient’s aesthetic goals and unique anatomic findings following nasal trauma. In most cases the procedure corrects post traumatic dorsal humps and increased nasal width. In many cases it also straightens the nasal septum and nose.
In patients with post traumatic nasal deformities with associated functional impairment, consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is appropriate. It’s never too late to correct these types of deformities, especially if they’re associated with functional impairment.