Is It Possible to Fix a Fractured Nose During Pregnancy?

Hi MyRick,

Nasal bones that are displaced can be put back into position using topical and local anesthesia.  Usually this is best done about 5 days after the trauma when the nasal swelling has come down, or immediately after the trauma, before swelling has occured.  It is also preferable to do when not preggos. 

Repair of nasal fracture after 18 to 21 days routinely requires refracturing of the nasal bones.  At this point, you should probably wait until junior is born and weened from the breasts.  I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy and baby!  Be well.

Dr. P

Hi myrick718 in Brooklyn, NY,

Sorry to hear of your nasal injury. As other surgeons have stated, if there wasn't any nose bleeding, it's possible that the nose was not fractured. The asymmetry may be from swelling alone.

Broken nose may be fixed at anytime following the initial injury, but most plastic surgeons will wait for a period of time to allow some swelling to resolve. Typically, broken noses are repaired after two weeks. Most broken noses can be repaired via a "closed reduction", where the nasal bones are repositioned back to the original position without any incisions. Nasal repair via this method only takes a few minutes. Closed reduction may be performed via local anesthesia in the office, or in the hospital setting with general anesthesia. Timing and method of repairing a broken nose is a individual decision made with consultation by a nasal surgeon, as everyone has unique circumstances.

Minor nasal procedures may be performed under local anesthesia in pregnant women, depending on several factors, only after consultation with your obstetrician and plastic surgeon. General anesthesia is generally not advised during pregnancy, if it may be avoided. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can they help determine appropriate options for you. Best of luck.

Dr. Chaboki

If there was no bleeding at the time, it's possible that the nose was NOT fractured. In that case, the crookedness may just be from swelling. An ear, nose, and throat surgeon might be able to give you a better idea. X-rays are generally useless for this anyway and you'd want to avoid the radiation, as well.

If a patient did have a significantly displaced nasal fracture, it's best to fix it early before any bony remodeling has occurred. In that case, it *may* be possible to have a closed reduction under local anesthesia, but your surgeon should coordinate that plan with your obstetrician first.

All the best,

--DCP

AT this critical point in fetal develoipment, it is best to postpone the nose job, to avoid unnecessary exposure of the fetus to medications or anesthetic/surgical complications. Unfortunately that means postponing it for the entirety of the pregnancy and until you have completed nursing.

Typically, a closed reduction is best performed within a day of a trauma because, after that, the swelling will make it difficult to evaluate the condition. Two weeks is too long as the bones will have set. I generally wait until 2-3 months have elapsed to evaluate the appearance of the nose and make a plan for surgery. I would not recommend performing elective surgery on a pregnant woman given that anesthesia would certainly be required. After you've recovered from childbirth, you can definitely see a plastic surgeon and explore your options.

It is best not to have any elective surgery performed during pregnancy. This is a contraindication unless it is an absolute emergency. Fixing a broken nose must be done under general anesthesia and cannot be done while pregnant. After the delivery of the infant, elective surgery can be performed to straighten both internal and external nasal bones from the fracture.  

Regarding: "Is It Possible to Fix a Fractured Nose During Pregnancy?
nose has been slightly crooked due to trauma to facial area for almost 2weeks to this date. there was no bleeding of the nose during time of accident or after just pain and a little swelling. but i am between 6-8 weeks pregnant is there anyway i can have my nose fixed without undergoing anestesia??? i need help!"

No ethical anesthesiologist will put you under / no Plastic surgeon would perform a non-life saving operation on a woman during the first trimester of her pregnancy. This is the period of organ formation and many otherwise safe drugs may damage the way a fetus' organs are formed.

Ideally, a minor trauma related nose deformity could be treated within 10-14 days of injury under local anesthesia. However, without an examination much less a photograph no one can really advise you.

Dr. Peter Aldea

I would not recommend a surgical intervention while you are pregnant, certainly if this was an acute incident, aligning the bones properly under local may be possible if it is cleared with your ob/gyn.

If treated immediately, a modestly displaced nasal fracture can be treated with a closed reduction under local anesthesia. If things are more complicated, or reduction of the fracture has been delayed, then it is best to wait until after you deliver. At that time, reduction rhinoplasty can fix the problem and anesthesia will be safe.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd

As all the previous posters have expertly  stated DO NOT DO THIS during pregnancy! If as you have popsted it is ONLY a minor deviation than wait til after thee birth and finishing breast feeding, if you plan on doing that. Best regards and happiness from MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, 305 598  0091