What is a Greenstick Infracture?

Question

I recently had rhinoplasty performed to reduce the width of my nose the side bones were moved in (greenstick infracture was performed). Just wondering what this is and if it can be reversed as my nose is now too thin. Also wondering is any bone taken out when this procudure is performed? Thanks

John M. Hilinski, MD · Answer

A greenstick fracture implies that an incomplete fracture was made across your nasal bones. In some rhinoplasty procedures where you only want the bone to move inward slightly, a greenstick fracture is performed. If you want the bone to move in further, then a complete fracture is usually done. It is possible in some cases to reverse this type of change. Usually there is no bone removed during this type of maneuver.

Naveen Cavale, MBBS, MSc, FRCSEd(Plast) · Answer

The term greenstick fracture refers to broken bones in kids where the bones are soft and can bend before they break (like a young green stick on a tree as opposed to an older branch which is stiffer and snaps).I am guessing that the fracture used in your rhinoplasty was performed by attempting to bend the bone to reshape it rather than formally breaking it. The term greenstick was probably used to describe the more gentle approach used.Whether or not bone is removed depends on whether there was excess bone present that was affecting the shape of the nose.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

A  "greenstick"  fracture refers to an incomplete fracture of the nasal bones when osteotomies are performed. If a bony hump was removed during the original operation, grafts will be necessary to avoid an open, wide bridge when the bones are repositioned. Otherwise, the bones can be moved by repeating the osteotomies.

What is a Greenstick Infracture?

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What is a Greenstick Infracture?

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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