Waiting before having broken nose fixed?

I broke my nose almost 3 weeks ago while out of town. I have been told by the ENT that I will now have to wait 3-6 months for surgery to straighten it with a plastic surgeon. Is this true?

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9 answers to “Waiting before having broken nose fixed?”

A: When to have surgery for broken nose

William Portuese, MD

There is no reason to wait six months to have a broken nose corrected. Repair of the nose can be done at any time one week after the injury when the severity of nasal crookedness is visible. The nose is reset through placement of medial and lateral osteotomies. Any fracturing of the upper lateral... more

A: I don't advise my patients to wait so long after a displaced nasal fracture.

David C. Pearson, MD

Waiting three to six months seems like bad advice. While I usually recommend against "immediate" reduction of a fracture, I usually like to treat patients after 5-7 days, but before 2 weeks. By two weeks, the bones are often beginning to heal in place and will require more effort and sometimes... more

A: Timing to Fix a Broken Nose

Richard W. Westreich, MD

I would try to get a closed nasal reduction within the week. It can often still be done as far as 1 month after an injury if the bone has been shifted significantly. I would then wait the 3-6 months proposed to see if additional corrective procedures are needed. Usually, they are not. Good luck

A: Broken nose and timing of repair

Steven Wallach, MD

If the nose is signficantly deviated, I like to wait a few days after the accident before taking the patient to the operating room to reduce the fracture. I tell all patients that they should expect an additional procedure in 6 months to a year later to remove minor irregularities such as bumps on the nose... more

A: Broken Nose Can Be Immediately Fixed

Tanveer Janjua, MD

After a broken nose that needs surgery to straighten it, you can have it done as soon as you want. The reason we like to wait for a few days (3 to 5days) is to let the swelling go down to have a better idea of how bad the nose looks. There is no advantage to wait longer than one week after the injury. Regards

A: Nose Fracture, When is the Optimal Time to Have it Fixed?

Michael A. Persky, MD

Hi Chi, Best to reset the bones of a nasal fracture within the first 10 days, the latest is about 18 days, at which time the bones have formed callus (they are healing back together).  Early on, the bones can be reset without any incision (closed nasal reduction).  Many of us then recommend about 4... more

A: Fixing Broken Nose

Richard W. Fleming, MD

This long after the fracture,  I recommend waiting another 6-8 weeks and then proceeding with definitive repair of  the damage. I do not agree with the need to wait  6-8 months for surgery. 

A: Nasal fractures are common and the management complex

Robert Mounsey, MD

The nasal bones are paired structures located below the frontal bones in the midline.  They are thick in the upper portions and thinner in the lower portions.  They are frequently injured by facial trauma.  Management  of nasal fractures is complex.  If an injury occurs and is... more

A: Fixing a Broken Nose with Plastic Surgery

Houtan Chaboki, MD

Yes, and no. A broken nose should be fixed within a month after the injury. Depending on the exact nature of the fracture, most broken noses are treated within 2 weeks of injury. I've treated broken noses up to 1 month after injury. You can't wait much longer, otherwise the bones fuse in their new position... more

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