What nasal fracture reduction is
A nasal fracture reduction moves the broken bones of the nose back into line and holds them there with a splint while they heal.
A broken nose is set best within about 2 weeks of the injury, once the first swelling has gone down, so surgery is scheduled soon after your visit. If the nose has already healed crooked, or its shape or breathing is not right once it has healed, a rhinoplasty may be advised.
Every procedure is performed at True Surgical Center, our AAAHC-accredited surgical center in Beverly Hills. About True Surgical Center
Who it is for
Your surgeon tells you at your consultation whether nasal fracture reduction fits your goals, and says so when another approach would serve you better.
Nasal Fracture Reduction in Beverly Hills: the essentials
- Where
- True Surgical Center, the AAAHC-accredited surgical center at 150 S. Rodeo Drive, Suite 220, Beverly Hills.
- Anesthesia
- MAC (monitored anesthesia care) with IV sedation, or general anesthesia, given and watched throughout by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Someone takes you home or to your hotel and stays nearby the first day.
- Timing
- A broken nose is set best within about 2 weeks of the injury.
- Splint
- A splint (cast) on your nose, and sometimes soft splints or light packing inside; your surgeon or our physician assistant removes them at your visit about a week after surgery.
- If you travel
- You are cleared to fly once the cast is off.
- Protect your nose
- The bones stay fragile for about 6 weeks: no contact sports for 6 weeks, and no glasses resting on the bridge of your nose until your surgeon clears you.
- Exercise
- Light cardio may resume at 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise: typically 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you.
- Final result
- The nose may stay swollen for several months, with a check-up 3 months after surgery.
Every plan is personal, so your surgeon confirms each of these for you at your consultation. Recovery, week by week
What happens on the day
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01Before you go in
You follow the Pre-Op General Instructions, and your plan is confirmed with your surgeon on the day.
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02Setting the bones
The broken bones, and the septum when it has shifted, are moved back into line, and a splint (cast) goes on the nose to hold them while they heal.
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03Going home
A gauze pad taped under your nostrils collects the mild bleeding of the first 1 to 2 days. Keep the cast dry, sleep on your back with your head raised on 2 to 3 pillows, ice your eyes and cheeks 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, for 5 days to a week, and do not blow your nose until the cast is off.
Preparing for surgery · Out-of-town patients · Post-operative care guide
Recovery, week by week
This comes from the written instructions our patients receive before surgery, so it changes only when those instructions change.
Swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes settle over 1 to 2 weeks. A nosebleed that does not stop after you sit upright, gently squeeze your nostrils and place cotton soaked in Afrin in the bleeding nostril means call us, as does a fever above 101°F, a rash, dizziness or vomiting if splints or packing are in. The cast comes off at your visit about a week after surgery, and you are cleared to fly once it is off.
Saline spray, 2 sprays in each nostril 5 to 6 times a day, once the cast is off, and gentle nose blowing. The bones stay fragile for about 6 weeks: avoid anything that could strike your nose, no contact sports for 6 weeks, and no glasses resting on the bridge until your surgeon clears you. Light cardio may resume at 2 weeks; strenuous exercise typically at 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you.
The nose may stay swollen for several months. If its shape or your breathing is not right once it has healed, a rhinoplasty may be advised. A check-up is advisable 3 months after surgery.
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure means call 911. For anything else that worries you, call us at (424) 363-4112, day or night. When to call us right away
Nasal Fracture Reduction risks, and how we keep you safe
Every procedure carries risk. Your surgeon goes through the risks that apply to your plan at your consultation, and each one is written in the consent you read and sign. For nasal fracture reduction, the consent lists:
- Shape of the Nose. The nose may stay or become crooked, or shift after the splint comes off, and a rhinoplasty may be needed later.
- Breathing. Breathing that does not improve, or worsens, is possible.
- Nosebleeds. Bleeding from the nose is possible.
- Septal Hematoma. A collection of blood in the wall between the nostrils (septal hematoma) is possible and needs to be drained.
- Sense of Smell. A change in the sense of smell is possible.
- Numb Front Teeth. Numbness of the nose or the upper front teeth is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Toxic Shock Syndrome. Toxic shock syndrome, a serious infection, is possible when nasal packing or splints are used; fever, a rash, dizziness or vomiting means call us right away.
Risks of any operation
- Bleeding. Bleeding during or after surgery is possible. A collection of blood under the skin (hematoma) may need drainage or a return to the operating room, and severe bleeding may need emergency treatment or a blood transfusion.
- Infection. Infection is possible and may need antibiotics, drainage or further surgery.
- Bruising and Swelling. Bruising and swelling are expected. They may last several weeks, and swelling or discoloration may persist longer.
- Scarring. Every incision or entry point leaves a permanent scar. A scar may be raised, widened, darker, lighter or more visible than expected, and takes at least 3 months to mature.
- Keloid or Raised Scar. Itching, thickening, pain or a growth along any incision can be the first sign of a keloid (a thick, raised scar). Let us know right away so it can be injected with a steroid to stop the keloid from forming. A keloid is more likely if you have had one before and may need further injections or treatment.
- Change in Skin Sensation. Numbness, tingling or a change in skin sensation around the treated areas is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Delayed Healing. Delayed healing or separation of an incision is possible and much more likely with nicotine in any form.
- Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions to tape, sutures, skin cleansers, latex or medications are possible.
- Blood Clots. Blood clots in the legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) are possible and more likely with longer surgery; your surgical team uses the clot-prevention plan chosen for you.
- Anesthesia. Risks of anesthesia and sedation are possible; the anesthesia provider reviews them with you separately.
- Pain. Pain after surgery is expected and should settle over several days; pain that lasts longer is possible.
- Result and Revision. A result that does not meet your expectations is possible: healing differs between people, no result is guaranteed, and a revision may be advised, with the fees described in your patient policy.
- Serious Complications. Serious complications, including death, are possible with any surgery or anesthesia.
- Heart and Lung Problems. Heart or lung problems, such as pneumonia or an irregular heartbeat, are possible after surgery and anesthesia.
- Medication Side Effects. Side effects of the medications used during and after surgery, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness or trouble urinating, are possible.
- Injury to Deeper Structures. Injury to deeper structures, such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles or glands, is possible.
- Persistent Sutures. A deeper stitch may work its way to the surface and need to be removed.
When to call us right away · Before & after gallery · Request a consultation
Nasal Fracture Reduction FAQ
Surgery that moves the broken bones of the nose back into line and holds them with a splint while they heal.
A broken nose is set best within about 2 weeks of the injury, once the first swelling has gone down, so surgery is scheduled soon after your visit.
If the nose has already healed crooked, or its shape or breathing is not right once it has healed, a rhinoplasty may be advised. Your surgeon tells you at your consultation which fits your nose.
You are cleared to fly once the cast is off, about a week after surgery. No contact sports for 6 weeks.
The consent you read and sign lists these possible complications: a nose that stays or becomes crooked, or shifts after the splint comes off, so a rhinoplasty may be needed later; breathing that does not improve, or worsens; nosebleeds; a collection of blood in the septum that needs to be drained; a change in the sense of smell; numbness of the nose or the upper front teeth; and toxic shock syndrome when packing or splints are used. It also lists the risks of any operation, including bleeding, infection, blood clots and the risks of anesthesia. Your surgeon reviews each one with you.
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