Nasal injuries: their pathogenesis and treatment.

The treatment of a fractured nose by manipulation is criticised. A "perfect" result was achieved in only one-third of 40 cases, a finding mirrored in the literature. The anatomy of nasal fractures produced experimentally in 15 cadavers is described. A recurring pattern of septal fracture and displacement is identified as the cause of the poor results of manipulation. Release of locked septal displacement by a defined local submucous resection, as part of the primary treatment, has given greatly improved results.