Patient satisfaction after closed reduction of nasal fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcome of closed reduction from a patient's point of view, because there is increasing evidence that closed reduction of nasal fractures fails to address deformities of the cartilaginous nasal framework and the septum.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of 62 patients who underwent a closed reduction of nasal fracture between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2005. All patients were interviewed regarding the esthetic and functional outcomes after closed reduction.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients (29%) expressed dissatisfaction with the esthetic outcome of the reduction, and 18 (29%) said they would consider further surgery to correct the residual nasal deformity.


CONCLUSIONS
A stringent preoperative assessment of the nasal fracture, other nasal deformities, and nasal function is essential before offering patients a simple closed reduction of their nasal fractures. A septorhinoplasty, as the definitive procedure, should be offered to patients when a closed reduction is deemed unable to address all deformities.
Hung
Terry
T
Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. terryhung@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk
Chang
Waitsz
W
Vlantis
Alexander C
AC
Tong
Michael C F
MC
van Hasselt
Charles A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies