PR20PAEDIATRIC NASAL FRACTURES: PATIENT SATISFACTION FOLLOWING CLOSED REDUCTION

Nasal trauma in childhood is a frequent occurrence. Management of resultant fractures in the paediatric age group presents a unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The immature patient is less likely to be cooperative with examination, and clinical evaluation is difficult owing to facial oedema and lack of rigidity of the nasal bones. Subsequent nasal growth and development must be considered in determining the most appropriate treatment. Closed reduction of nasal fractures is usually undertaken at the Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial & Burns Unit at Hutt Hospital. Little exists in the form of follow-up studies assessing patient satisfaction following this technique. A retrospective chart reviewed yielded 39 patients aged under seventeen years who underwent closed reduction of their nasal fracture during the two year period ending in July 2006 at Hutt Hospital. Follow-up was between three and twenty-seven months. A structured telephone interview was carried out to assess the degree of satisfaction with both functional and aesthetic outcome present in this group. Patients and their parents were invited to respond. Most patients and their families are satisfied with nasal function and appearance following closed reduction. Few had subsequently sought or would consider a secondary open procedure in the form of septorhinoplasty. Closed reduction remains a satisfactory treatment in this age group. On the basis of patient satisfaction, it is successful in maintaining the function and appearance of the nose in most. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]