In many cases, the diagnosis of a nasal fracture is relatively simple. Some patients have obvious deformities such as nasal flattening or significant nasal deviation, which makes the diagnosis apparent. In other cases, the diagnosis of a nasal fracture can be very difficult because of swelling. In these cases, swelling may need to resolve before the diagnosis can be made.
When patients have obvious or displaced nasal fractures, they will usually require corrective surgery. Not all nasal fractures require treatment. In some cases, the bone and cartilage are not displaced and because of this, surgery is not necessary.
When corrective surgery is performed within three weeks of the fracture, closed nasal reduction is performed. This is a relatively simple procedure that re-positions and stabilizes the nasal bones. If repair is not done within three weeks of injury, correction should be delayed for one year and then a formal rhinoplasty performed.
