Fracture of the nose occurs when there is a break in the bones or cartilage due to some impact in this region, such as falls, traffic accidents, physical aggression or contact sports, for example.
Treatment usually seeks to decrease pain, swelling and bleeding of the nose with the use of analgesics or anti-inflammatories, such as dipyrone or ibuprofen, for example, followed by surgery for bone realignment. The recovery usually takes about 7 days, but in some cases, other surgeries may need to be done by the otorhinolaryngologist or plastic surgeon for total nose correction.
How to recognize that the nose is broken
The main symptoms of nose fracture are:
- Pain and swelling in the nose;
- Purple spots on the nose or around the eyes;
- Bleeding from the nose;
- Very sensitive to touch;
- Nose deformity;
- Difficulty breathing through the nose.
Children have a lower risk of nose fracture because their bones and cartilage are more flexible, but they are usually caused by falls.
In infants, the bones of the nose may fracture at the time of delivery and in this case, it is identified by the deformity of the site, and surgery for correction should occur as soon as possible to prevent the nose from becoming permanently crooked or breathing difficulties.
What to do in case of suspected fracture
In case of suspected fracture, it is advised:
- Make a cold compress on the nose for about 10 minutes to decrease pain and swelling;
- Do not move or try to put the bone in place, as this can make the injury worse;
- Use painkillers such as dipyrone or paracetamol or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen for pain relief;
- Check for bleeding, and if the nose is bleeding, you should remain seated or with your head bent forward and breathe through your mouth. If the bleeding is severe, a gauze or cotton can be placed to cover the nostril without pushing too hard. Do not turn your head back so that the blood does not accumulate in the throat, and do not blow your nose, not to make the injury worse. See more details here.
If the swelling does not improve within a few hours of the cold pack, it is advised to go to the emergency room. The doctor will detect the fracture of the nose through the clinical evaluation, it may be necessary for the Rx to confirm, and to evaluate when the surgery will be necessary.
When to have surgery
Surgery is indicated whenever a fracture occurs with deviation of the bones of the nose. After the initial treatment to reduce swelling, which can be between 1 and 7 days, surgery is performed to reposition the bones. The type of surgery and anesthesia will depend on each case and each patient. In case of serious fractures, the surgery can be done immediately.
After surgery, a special dressing is done, which can be with plaster or some rigid material, to aid in the fixation of the bones and can remain for about 1 week.
The recovery of the nose fracture is rapid in usually about 7 days. However, sports at risk of further fracture should be avoided for 3 to 4 months, or as directed by the physician.
Possible Complications
Even after the entire treatment, some complications can still arise due to nose fracture, which should also be corrected by medications or surgery. The main ones are:
- Purple marks on the face, due to accumulation of blood after bleeding;
- Decreased nasal canal, which may make it difficult for air to pass due to irregular cicatrization;
- Obstruction of the tear canal, which prevents the passage of tears, due to changes in healing;
- Infection due to opening and manipulation of the nose during surgery.
Within 1 month, the nose fracture should be completely resolved, and the swelling disappears completely. However, the person may still have a change in the shape and functioning of the nose in the breath and therefore may need to be evaluated by an otorhinolaryngologist or plastic surgeon, as other surgeries may be needed in the future.
