Overcorrection of Nasal Bone Fracture Reduction Can Be Minimized by Packing Removal

We experienced 16 cases of overcorrection among 524 cases of packing following nasal bone fracture (NBF) reduction. In these cases, the packing was removed immediately.From July 2017 to October 2020, 535 cases of NBF were reduced by closed reduction. Nasal packing was applied in 524 cases (97.9%). In all cases, postoperative X-rays (both nasal bone lateral view and Water's view) were taken. The degree of overcorrection was measured in the nasal bone lateral views.Among the 524 patients who underwent nasal packing, overcorrection was noted in 16 cases (3.1%). The average degree of overcorrection was 2.09 ± 0.70 mm. In these patients, the packing was removed immediately and X-rays were taken directly after packing removal. The degree of overcorrection decreased; however, no significant difference was found (1.83 ± 0.71 mm, P   =  0.081, [paired t test]).In this study, overcorrection was noted in 3.1% of patients in whom nasal packing was applied. After packing removal, the degree of overcorrection decreased but was not significant. Postoperative X-rays should be taken after reduction of NBF and nasal packing, and if overcorrection is noticed, the packing should be removed immediately.