Is indent in side nose repairable? Can a piece of broken cartilage come out decades after an injury?

It is hard to say what came out of your nose, but an internal nasal examination is probably warranted at this point to make sure there is no tumor present, or residual mass present. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Trauma to the nose can create injury to the nasal bones and cartilages of the nose. The nasal bones can become fractured and displaced, or fractured and non-displaced. The upper lateral cartilages can also become fractured off of the nasal bones. The septum can become fractured as well. This is known as a deviated septum. A septoplasty is performed to straighten the deviated septum when it is blocking air flow in the back of the nose. Osteotomies of the nasal bones with manual reduction to make them straight is required. Sometimes a spreader graft composed of the patient's own cartilage is inserted underneath a concave upper lateral cartilage, when necessary. For many examples of broken nose repair, please see the link  and the video below