International Journal of
Medicine and Medical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Med. Med. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9723
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJMMS
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 534

Article in Press

Outcome of management of nasal trauma in Portharcourt

Augustine Nwogbo, Sunny, Ndubuisi Uyanwanne Chibuzo, Okechi Mbalaso

  •  Received: 05 January 2019
  •  Accepted: 03 June 2019
Background: Nasal trauma is a common presentation in our environment. Nasal bone is the most frequently fractured facial bone because of its prominence and delicate structure. Nasal fractures rank third in the incidence of all human fractures behind clavicle and the wrist. The etiology of nasal trauma varies from place to place and depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, cultural and environmental factors. Port-Harcourt is one of the Niger Delta states and a major city in South-South Nigeria with a rising trend in communal and social conflicts resulting in body injuries. This study determines the etiological factors and outcome of nasal trauma among patients in University of Port-Harcout Teaching Hospital. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients that presented to the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department, of UPTH, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria with nasal trauma within a period of 6 years (from June 2012 to July 2018). Data retrieved from medical records include demographic variables of age and gender, etiological factors, symptoms, treatment offered and outcomes. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and results presented in tables. Results: A total of sixty six (66) patients with nasal trauma were seen within the study period. There were 48 males and 18 females with a M:F ratio of 2.7:1. The age range was 2 years to 72 years with the majority of patients in the age range 21-30 years (42.4%). Assaults constituted the highest etiological factor (45.5%), road traffic accident (24.2%), falls (19.7%), sports injury (7.6%) and industrial accident (3.0%). The commonest symptom was epistaxis (90.9%) followed by nasal obstruction (68.1%) and nasal deformity (45.5%). About 60% of patients received conservative treatment which had either undisplaced nasal fracture or soft tissue injury while 30.3% had surgical interventions. A significant improvement in nasal deformity, aesthetic and airway was achieved in all the patients that had surgical intervention. Conclusion: Assault as the commonest etiological factor implicated in nasal trauma has confirmed the increase in communal conflicts, kidnapping, militancy and vandalization of government installations in Niger-Delta. Close reduction can significantly correct structural and functional complications of simple non-comminuted nasal fracture

Keywords: Nasal fracture, etiological factors and closed reduction.