Clinical outcome of Closed Reduction of Displaced Nasal Bone Fracture- A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Closed reduction is a simple and efficient method in the treatment of displaced nasal bone fracture. There is a paucity of studies that assess the variations in outcome of closed reduction depending on the types of nasal bone fracture. Furthermore no study has been reported in medical literature till date that assesses the outcome of closed reduction using nasal parameters, that are routinely used in rhinoplasty. Hence the aim of our study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of closed reduction using nasal parameters and patient satisfaction scores.
Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted among 75 patients with displaced nasal bone fracture from March 2021 to August 2022. Visual analogue scale score, Nasal obstruction symptom evaluation score and nasal parameters were used to assess the subjective and objective outcome of closed reduction.
Results: Nasal bone fractures were most common among men in 20-29 age group. Road traffic accident was the most common mode of injury and two-third of patients did not use any protective equipment. Simple fractures outnumbered other types and had the best outcomes. Aesthetic satisfaction was assessed subjectively using Visual analogue scale, with 94.67% patients having a satisfactory outcome. When the aesthetic outcome was assessed objectively using nasal parameters 90.6% patients had either an optimal or satisfactory outcome. Nasal obstruction was also relieved in majority of the patients after closed reduction.
Conclusions: Nasal bone fractures treated within the first 2 weeks had the best outcome. Higher the severity of the nasal bone fracture and more the delay in performing closed reduction, greater was the residual nasal deformity.