Before and after broken nose repair. Patient had closed rhinoplasty, septoplasty, and turbinate reduction to help improve her nasal congestion and appearance of the nose. The tip of the nose was also conservatively setback to reduce a droopy tip. Her rhinoplasty was performed soon after injury.
Deviated noses are commonly seen in a facial plastic surgery practice. A deviated nose may develop naturally as the nose develops from childhood or following nasal injury and trauma. The nose, since it projects from the face, tends to get a more of the facial injuries.
What is a broken nose?
A broken nose typically refer to fractures of the nasal bones. However, the cartilage and tissue of the nose and nasal septum may be injured as well. Some signs and symptoms of a broken nose may include:
- a deviated, crooked, or twisted nose
- bruising and swelling
- pain, discomfort, tenderness
- nasal congestion
- a nose bleed
Before and after broken nose repair. He underwent a closed rhinoplasty and septoplasty. His rhinoplasty was performed long after the original injury.
Nasal injuries are often evaluated by a plastic surgeon, otolaryngologist, or facial plastic surgeon soon after the injury. The surgeon can help determine if the nose was fractured or just swollen. Sometimes swelling alone may make the nose appear asymmetric. Nasal swelling may last several weeks and occurs both on the outside and inside of the nose.
How is a broken nose treated?
Treatment for nasal injuries varies broadly, so speak with your facial plastic surgeon to evaluate your nasal injury, deviated septum, and broken nose to help determine appropriate options.
Minor nasal injuries and fractures may not necessarily require surgical intervention, such as septoplasty or rhinoplasty. If your nose appears as it did before the injury and nasal breathing is not blocked, then treatment may involve just rest and observation.
Broken noses can be repaired with a closed reduction, if there is new deviation or the bones have shifted from injury. This relatively minor procedure repositions the nasal bones and septum back to its original position.
Closed reduction for a broken nose can be performed in the office with local anesthesia. For more severe injuries or patient preference, plastic surgeons will treat broken nasal bones in the operating room with general anesthesia or IV sedation (twilight anesthesia). The procedure is very quick and simple and patients may return home afterward. A cast or tape is placed over the nose for a week afterward.
Is rhinoplasty performed at the same time of broken nose repair?
Most plastic surgeons fix the broken nose first, then perform a rhinoplasty at a later point if desired. Generally, nasal healing and recovery is better, and rhinoplasty results are considered more predictable when rhinoplasty is done separately from the acute injury. Many plastic surgeons and rhinoplasty specialists wait at minimum 6 months after a broken nose before contemplating another surgery. For patients who had an old injury or multiple nasal injuries over the years, then rhinoplasty or septoplasty may more likely be required, since nasal bone reshaping (i.e. osteotomy) is often necessary.
Before and after broken nose repair. She underwent an open reduction of the nasal fracture with conservative rhinoplasty and deviated septum surgery. Her repair was performed soon after injury.
Rhinoplasty surgery is highly variable and thus tailored to the unique needs of each patient. Closed reduction is often done during the initial period after nasal injury, while rhinoplasty is more likely performed after the initial healing period after trauma. Speak with your plastic surgeon as to possible rhinoplasty timing.
I had broke my nose when i was 5 years old and now am 37. Due to having difficulty in breathing causing restless nights. I want rhinoplasty amd reshaping of my nose if you have suggestion as to how it may be carried out?
Thank you for reading the blog!
A nasal injury or broken nose can contribute to breathing issues, sinus problems, or nasal congestion. Rhinoplasty and septoplasty may be appropriate to reshape the nose and improve the nasal passages. Nasal surgery is performed via an open approach, with an external scar, or a closed approach, without external scar. Our practice performs all types of rhinoplasty, but specializes in closed rhinoplasty.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello dr chaboki,so grateful to have this platform to communicate with you,i broke my nose 8 month ago and
immediately underwent close reduction but not sattisfied with results,i just want to know that is it possible to get my old nose appreance by rihnoplasty or its just a lie?
Thank you for reading the blog. Rhinoplasty and/or septoplasty may be performed after initial repair for a broken nose for a variety of reasons. The specific timing and extent of rhinoplasty will depend on many factors. Plastic surgeons may try to restore the original shape. While possible to get the original shape, rhinoplasty surgeons can never guarantee the “old nose”.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello and thank you, i broke my nasal bones but after reduction the lower cartilage got droopy , can i solve this or its permanent?
Thank you for reading the blog. We try to educate on plastic surgery procedures, nonsurgical (ex. Botox) and surgical (ex. facelift).
For a broken nose, the nose can be repaired with a reduction. A reduction repositions the nasal bones back toward the midline. While many patients require only a reduction of the bones, additional surgery with rhinoplasty and septoplasty to repair cartilage may be necessary. Patients should speak with their specialist surgeon to help determine appropriate options.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Based on the photos i just wanted to know what is the time called “soon after the injury”?
Thank you for reading our article on broken nose repair. “Soon” is a vague term, but may be referred to within weeks after injury. At some point after trauma, the bones fuse and would need to be modified with rhinoplasty. Read more about osteotomy in rhinoplasty. Plastic surgeons will develop a surgical plan with patients that is based on multiple factors, which includes timeframe after injury, degree of nasal injury from trauma, pre-existing conditions (ex. possible deviated septum, sinusitis, etc), and chronic medical conditions.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello and thank you
Whats the exact time you called on above pictures “soon after injury” for under going rihnoplasty for broken nose?
Is it 8 month soon after injury?
One side of my nose is depressed and other side is empty i just wanted to push the bones back to its place by rihnoplasty,is it possible?
Thank you for reading our article on broken nose repair. Plastic surgeons may be able to perform a closed reduction within the first couple weeks after injury, without necessarily needing to re-break the nose. At some point after trauma, the nasal bones fuse and would need to be modified with rhinoplasty surgery and osteotomy. Read more about osteotomy in rhinoplasty. Timeframe after injury, degree of nasal injury from trauma, pre-existing conditions (ex. possible deviated septum, sinusitis, etc) are just some factors that plastic surgeons consider when planning treatment. Lastly, many patients have a deviated nose without prior injury.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
A few months ago, I accidentally slammed my face with the car door and it got me think about what would have down if my jaw or nose was broken. It makes sense that most surgeons want to wait at least six month after healing a broken nose before doing a rhinoplasty. If I do end up breaking my nose, these tips could definitely help me. Thanks for sharing them.
Thank you for reading the blog! Timing of plastic surgery after injury will vary based on multiple factors, including degree of injury, specific anatomy, and medical conditions. Plastic surgeons often see patients soon after injury and can provide guidance on timing of repair. Broken nose repair can involve procedures such as rhinoplasty and septoplasty.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
My 12 year old son had a green stick fracture to the side of his nose by a baseball. Took him to urgent care right away, did X-rays, they said no fracture even though nose looked crooked to me. A few days went by & I took him to a Pediatric ENT where it was determined he indeed had a fracture even though another X-ray wasn’t performed. ENT said he rarely relies on xrays to determine. He suggested closed reduction procedure in surgery center with sedation. Did that, nose looked exactly the same. Has since developed bony cartilage bump on one side. It never bled, he from actually nose, just from the bump on surface of nose from baseball hitting it, never had congestion or breathing problems & septum was still centered. But recently my son stated he was experiencing a weird sensation in his nose, like the bottom tip cartilage getting stuck or something. Took him back to a different ENT who I had previously taken my son to for a second opinion. He checked him out & didnt notice anything out of ordinary except that his septum shifted slightly since he initially saw him. +2 to the left. Coincidentally he’s had congestion for a month & recently treated with amoxicillin for a sinus infection. Still congested. My question is should I be concerned that his septum is abnormally shifting 3 yrs after injury & causing this congestion? What course of action do we take? Surgery can’t be performed until 18 yrs old if he even needs surgery. The second ENT said he should be fine unless his septum continues to shift. I’m worried.
Thank you for reading the blog!
The nasal septum can shift or deviate without any prior injury. We often seen patients who have significant deviated septum and no prior nasal injury or broken nose. Plastic surgeons often wait until an individual is older than 18 before considering rhinoplasty, but individual circumstances may vary.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello. My daughter had septoplasty last summer. She is now going to have open reduction of nasal fracture to remove a bump. Do you know if this surgery will make her nose appear straighter than it is?
Thank you for reading our blog!
Plastic surgery is individualized. Patients who have had prior injury or surgery generally have more difficult cases. An open reduction of nasal fracture can possibly make the nose straighter in appropriate cases. Rhinoplasty may be required to remove a hump. As always, patients should speak with their plastic surgeon to review goals of the procedure, along with possible outcomes, risks, alternatives, etc.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello,
When I was 8 years old I broke my nose, then again at 13 but never had it set. I am not 31 years old and have one nostril that is about 40% smaller than the other. My nose also appears to tilt to one side. I’ve noticed airflow through one side of my nose is more difficult than the other.
Is it possible to correct these issues issues? And if so, what type of treatment?
Noses that have been injured may be treated with septoplasty and/or rhinoplasty, based on several variables. Office consultation and examination can help determine appropriate options to treat both the inside and outside of the nose.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Is it possible to need a septoplastu and Rhinoplay done at the same time both for medical reasons. I know some people when they do septoplasty also do Rhinoplasty to fix their appearance but insurance does not cover that part. Is there a scenario where both are needed at the same time for medical reasons? Or that has never occurred
Thank you for reading the blog! Each case is unique. There may be circumstances where rhinoplasty is required for medical reason, such as for cancer, congenital, or traumatic etiology. Office consultation with rhinoplasty surgeon can help determine appropriate treatment options.
Best,
Hi, under what circumstance would a broken nose be fixable in the office with local anesthesia rather than in the hospital with general anesthesia? My son broke his nose and we saw a plastic surgeon yesterday who said he needed to go under for the repair but I read that on some instances it can be set in the office with local. Should I get a second opinion? He did say there was damage inside as well as the bone on the right and left
Thank you
Thank your for reading the blog!
A majority of broken noses have been treated via local anesthesia in our office. However, treatment is tailored to each patient. Some patient may need broken nose repair under anesthesia. Patient should speak with a surgeon to help determine appropriate treatment options.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki