Following a significant nasal fracture, closed reduction is ideally performed within:
- A 7–10 days of injury, before consolidation ✓
- B 24 hours of injury
- C 3 weeks, after swelling subsides
- D 6 weeks, when bony union is complete
Correct answer: A. 7–10 days of injury, before consolidation
Explanation
Closed reduction of nasal fractures is best performed within 7–10 days of injury. This timing allows soft tissue swelling to subside enough for accurate assessment of the deformity, while the fracture remains mobile enough for manipulation before fibrous union begins. Reduction within 24 hours may be possible but is complicated by acute swelling obscuring assessment. After 2–3 weeks, the fracture begins to stabilize and closed reduction becomes increasingly difficult, necessitating open rhinoplasty.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.