Fracture patterns of the nasal septum

Lee, Michael MD
Inman, Jared MD
Callahan, Sean MD
Ducic, Yadro MD, FRCS

^aUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
^bJohn Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, TX

Corresponding author: Michael Lee, MD, 212 Landry Court, Irving, TX 75063. E-mail address: [email protected]

Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.

Received May 5, 2010; revised July 18, 2010; accepted August 19, 2010.

Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery 143(6):p 784-788, December 2010.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate fracture patterns of the nasal septum.

STUDY DESIGN:

Cross-sectional cadaveric study.

SETTING:

Synthes research laboratories, Philadelphia, PA.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

Eighteen cadavers were divided into three groups. Group A was subjected to low-level force administered to the nasal tip. Group B underwent moderate-level force and group C high-level force. Cadavers subsequently underwent dissection of the nose and nasal septum.

RESULTS:

Fracture patterns were apparent and related to the force applied. Fracture patterns were classified into three types depending on the location and extent. Group A was the most variable. Three cadavers were classified as type 1, two as type 2, and one as type 3. The average amount of force required to produce a fracture in this group was 100 N. Group B cadavers all developed type 3 fractures. Group C cadavers primarily developed type 3 fractures except for one that developed a type 1. Fractures were further classified in regard to the septum being displaced off the nasal spine.

CONCLUSION:

Based on our observation, we conclude that fracture patterns of the nasal septum do exist and appear to be related to the amount of force sustained.