AN AUDIT OF 120 CASES OF SIMPLE NASAL BONE FRACTURE.

Background: Nasal bone fractures are the commonest type of the bony facial injuries seen in emergency department. The objectives of the present study were to determine the age and gender distribution, etiology, symptoms, signs and complications of simple nasal bone fractures and complications of their closed reduction. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Departments of ENT, Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan & MMM Teaching Hospital, D.I.Khan, Pakistan from July 2012 to Jun 2013. All patients with simple nasal bone fracture of any age and gender were included. All patients were treated by closed reduction. Data regarding gender, age in years, age grouping, etiology, symptoms, signs and complications were analyzed as frequency and percentage. Results: A total of 120 patients with simple nasal bone fractures were included in the study. Males 90 (75%) out-numbered females 30 (25%) with a ratio of 3:1. The mean age of the patients was 20.66±14.86 (2-60) with a range of 58 years. The most frequent etiology, symptom, sign and complication was road traffic accident in 65 (54.15%), epistaxis in 85 (70.80%), external nasal deformity in 92 (76.65%) and septal hematoma in 24 (20%) cases respectively. Persistent postoperative nasal deviation was a complication in seven (5.80%) patients with closed reduction. Conclusion: Road traffic accident is the most common cause of nasal trauma. Closed reduction for simple nasal bone fracture generally produces acceptable cosmetic results. By knowing the etiology of nasal trauma, the risk of nasal injuries can be reduced by taking safety measures and precautions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]