How is a Broken Nose with Deviated Septum Fixed?

With regards to the broken nose, it is most likely that the nose is twisted on the outside as well as the inside. Both have to be reset back to the normal anatomical straight position so that the nose looks straight from the outside and breathes well from the inside. This type of surgery is not done in the office. This is done under a general anesthetic as an outpatient procedure in an ambulatory surgery center. This is fixed surgically. Occasionally, some cartilage grafting, such as... more

Fixing the broken nose and making any other changes can and should be done at the same time. Why have two separate operations? Many surgeons have an accredited outpatient surgical facility in their offices; therefore the procedure frequently done in the office, avoiding hospitalization.

The textbook answer here is that you have roughly 10 days to "set" the nasal bone fracture, but any remaining septal deflection would be corrected by a septoplasty procedure about 3 months later. The reason for the septoplasty delay is 3-fold: First, the septum might correct when the nasal bones are set, thereby obviating the need for a septoplasty. Second, some of the obstruction you are experiencing is likely caused by swelling and when the swelling resolves you may breathe... more

It is important to know how long ago your altercation was. If it has only been a few days since the injury, you can have your bones set with some sedation. Then, after that has healed, you will need a surgical procedure to correct your cosmetic needs. On the other hand, if this is an older injury and the bones have already set, then it is possible to do it all at the same time. If your insurance company will pay for the deviated septum repair, then the cosmetic portion is usually an... more

Hi Brandon, You can have someone hit you from the other side, or if you prefer, the bones can be reset in a rhinoplasty surgeon's office. With an acute nasal fracture, it is best to get the bones reset (closed reduction of nasal fracture) within the first 10 days, up to 18 days, but the longer that you wait, the more difficult it is to reset the bones. Usually best to wait at least 5 days after the fracture to allow all swelling to go down. If your breathing is affected by a newly... more

How long ago was the altercation? That is the key to this answer. If your nose was broken within the last few days then a closed reduction should be done in the office under sedation in order to straighten the bones. The septum should be allowed to heal and then secondary surgery can be done in a couple of months when all of the swelling resolves. Otherwise doing septal surgery on a recently fractured nose can be problematic in many ways. As far as modifications of the bridge of the... more