Delayed Treatment of Nasal Trauma

As the most prominent facial feature, the nose carries an increased risk of traumatic injury: the product of a poorly addressed underlying structural injury is a posttraumatic nasal deformity. We reviewed 765 patients with posttraumatic deformities who were treated using autografts (751/765 pts) and xenoimplants (14/765 pts). The commonest employed grafts needed to re-establish the continuity of the cartilage skeleton were: crushed cartilage as onlay filler used for the treatment of minor defects (60%); columellar struts, dorsal and lateral crural battens, spreader grafts, used for the treatment of major defects (40%). In our experience complications may be limited by the use of autografts whenever possible, soft tissues minimal traumatization, precisely sized pocket positioning of grafts and careful suturing.