A nasal fracture with deviation is best treated by closed reduction. The optimal timing for closed nasal reduction after acute injury is:
- A Immediately within 1 hour of injury before swelling develops
- B 4–6 weeks after injury once bony consolidation is complete
- C 3–10 days after injury when oedema has subsided but before firm consolidation ✓
- D Any time within 6 months before cosmetic rhinoplasty
Correct answer: C. 3–10 days after injury when oedema has subsided but before firm consolidation
Explanation
Closed reduction of nasal fractures is ideally performed 3–10 days after injury. At this stage, the post-traumatic oedema has sufficiently subsided to allow accurate assessment of the deformity, while the fracture fragments have not yet undergone firm consolidation that would require more forceful manipulation. In children, the window is shorter (3–7 days) due to faster healing. After 10–14 days, open rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty is required.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.