Efficacy of closed reduction for nasal fractures in children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of closed reduction and the effects of the time of intervention on young patients' satisfaction. Patients older than 16 years and those with additional maxillofacial fractures were excluded. All patients were treated by closed reduction and external fixation. The patients and parents were asked about their satisfaction in a survey 6 months' postoperatively. They were divided into groups according to the time of intervention, and the results. Twenty-four patients, age range 4-16 years, with isolated nasal fractures were included in the study. The mean (SD) time before intervention was 5.5 (1.8) days. The first group comprised 16 patients whose fractures were reduced between days 1 and 5 after the injury, and the second the 8 whose fractures were reduced between days 6 and 10. At 6 months 15 of the 24 were satisfied with the result, and 9 were not. In the group treated between days 1-5, 12/16 were happy with the result, and in the group treated between days 6-10, 3/8 were satisfied. Closed reduction gives good results in the treatment of nasal fractures in children. Early intervention increases the rate of satisfaction.