A pathological classification of nasal fractures

Abstract

The management of nasal fractures has been found by several authors to be inadequate. The reason for this is obscure but may be poor understanding of the pathology of nasal fractures. There is no adequate comprehensive classification of nasal fractures. Various weights were dropped on cadavers' noses and the resultant fractured nasal pyramid was dissected out. The fracture lines are described and particular reference is directed to the involvement of the septum in grossly deviated noses. Confirmation of septal involvement is obtained using a CAT scanner. It has been found that correction of this septal involvement at the time of manipulation significantly improves the end-results (Murray and Maran, 1984).