Reduction of nasal bone fractures: a comparative study of general, local, and topical anesthesia techniques.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the current study of nasal bone fracture reduction carried out under topical, local, and general anesthesia was to suggest a proper treatment of patients with nose fractures.

METHOD: The patient candidates for close nasal bone reduction (CNR) were divided into 3 groups: topical anesthesia (TA), local anesthesia (LA), and general anesthesia (GA), and CNR was performed. After reduction, pain scores and satisfaction and failure rates after 2 and 30 days were noted. All the patients were followed up for at least 1 month.

RESULTS: The mean pain scores (TA = 2.35, LA = 2.47, and GA = 1.9) showed no significant difference among these 3 groups (P > 0.05). The percentages of the patients' satisfaction in the groups were as follows: TA = 84.6%, LA = 83.8%, and GA = 91.7%. These values had no statistical difference (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference among the failure rates on the second day and after 1 month of follow-up (after 2 d, TA = 10%, LA = 18%, and GA = 14%, and after 1 month, TA = 2%, LA = 7%, and GA = 5%).

CONCLUSIONS: If the selection of patients is done properly, CNR under TA/LA will have considerable success in comparison with GA. Topical anesthesia is suggested in simple nasal fracture with unilateral depression or minimal displacement.