Role of fixation in the treatment of nasal fractures.

Following the reduction of nasal fractures, fixation was performed in 3 ways: 1 Packing for 72 h and plaster cast for 1 week. 2 Packing for 72 h and adhesive tape for 1 week. 3 Adhesive tape for 1 week. At follow-up 3 months after the reduction, these groups were compared with a group of patients with nasal fractures which had not needed treatment and with a group of normals. It was concluded that among the group fixed with packing and plaster cast, significantly fewer patients were dissatisfied than in the other groups, and fewer complained of deformity. The physical examination showed an appreciable number of minor deformities in all groups including the normal group. A significantly higher frequency of nasal obstruction was found in the group of patients operated upon compared to the non-operated group and the normal group by physical examination, but not by the questionnaire. The present study does not support the point of view that a high percentage of cases of nasal fracture have to be operated upon by open reduction. Radiology has no medical or legal value in patients with nasal fractures and should not be used.