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Copyright (c) 2025 Maryam Saleh Al-Hafizi, Hasnah Mohammed Alessa, Muhammed Abdulkareem Alhazoom, Amnah Ahmed Alhuwayji, Yasir Mohammed Faleh Alsharari, Wedad Magani Sherwani, Abdullah Saleh Alaoffey, Mohameed Hamoud Alqayd, Mousa Hamoud Alqayd, Ashwag Owid Alenezi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Multidisciplinary Assessment and Management of Nasal Septal Fracture Across Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Laboratory, and Emergency Care-An Updated Review
Corresponding Author(s) : Maryam Saleh Al-Hafizi
Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health,
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)
Abstract
Background: Nasal septal and nasal bone fractures represent the most common injuries within maxillofacial trauma due to the exposed anatomical position of the nasal framework and its limited structural resistance to external forces. These injuries frequently coexist with other facial fractures and may result in both functional airway compromise and aesthetic deformity. Given the anatomical complexity and clinical variability, their management requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Aim: This review aims to provide an updated and comprehensive synthesis of nasal septal fracture management, emphasizing multidisciplinary involvement across nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, laboratory medicine, and emergency care. It also highlights current evidence regarding diagnosis, imaging, treatment strategies, complications, and preventive measures.
Methods: A narrative review approach was adopted based on previously published literature and clinical studies addressing nasal fracture epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, and management principles. Emphasis was placed on integrating clinical guidelines and multidisciplinary healthcare perspectives relevant to trauma care pathways.
Results: Findings indicate that nasal fractures are predominantly caused by interpersonal violence, motor vehicle accidents, sports trauma, and falls, with demographic variation by age and sex. Clinical assessment remains central to diagnosis, while CT imaging is reserved for complex cases. Management ranges from conservative observation to closed reduction and delayed reconstructive surgery. Septal hematoma, septal perforation, and saddle nose deformity remain key complications. Early intervention improves outcomes, while delayed treatment increases the likelihood of deformity and revision surgery. Multidisciplinary collaboration improves detection, treatment accuracy, and long-term functional and cosmetic results.
Conclusion: Nasal septal fractures require early recognition and structured multidisciplinary management to optimize outcomes. Integration of emergency care, surgical specialties, and allied health services is essential to reduce complications and improve patient recovery.
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- Rhee SC, Kim YK, Cha JH, Kang SR, Park HS. Septal fracture in simple nasal bone fracture. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004 Jan;113(1):45-52.
- Arnold MA, Yanik SC, Suryadevara AC. Septal fractures predict poor outcomes after closed nasal reduction: Retrospective review and survey. Laryngoscope. 2019 Aug;129(8):1784-1790.
- Oneal RM, Beil RJ. Surgical anatomy of the nose. Clin Plast Surg. 2010 Apr;37(2):191-211.
- Hwang K, Ki SJ, Ko SH. Etiology of Nasal Bone Fractures. J Craniofac Surg. 2017 May;28(3):785-788.
- Desrosiers AE, Thaller SR. Pediatric nasal fractures: evaluation and management. J Craniofac Surg. 2011 Jul;22(4):1327-9.
- Yu H, Jeon M, Kim Y, Choi Y. Epidemiology of violence in pediatric and adolescent nasal fracture compared with adult nasal fracture: An 8-year study. Arch Craniofac Surg. 2019 Aug;20(4):228-232.
- VandeGriend ZP, Hashemi A, Shkoukani M. Changing trends in adult facial trauma epidemiology. J Craniofac Surg. 2015 Jan;26(1):108-12.
- Stranc MF, Robertson GA. A classification of injuries of the nasal skeleton. Ann Plast Surg. 1979 Jun;2(6):468-74.
- Lu GN, Humphrey CD, Kriet JD. Correction of Nasal Fractures. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2017 Nov;25(4):537-546.
- Fattahi T, Salman S. Management of Nasal Fractures. Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2019 Sep;27(2):93-98.
- Hoffmann JF. An Algorithm for the Initial Management of Nasal Trauma. Facial Plast Surg. 2015 Jun;31(3):183-93.
- Sanyaolu LN, Farmer SE, Cuddihy PJ. Nasal septal haematoma. BMJ. 2014 Nov 04;349:g6075.
- Lee IS, Lee JH, Woo CK, Kim HJ, Sol YL, Song JW, Cho KS. Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of nasal bone fractures: a comparison with conventional radiography and computed tomography. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016 Feb;273(2):413-8.
- Rohrich RJ, Adams WP. Nasal fracture management: minimizing secondary nasal deformities. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000 Aug;106(2):266-73.
- Zide BM, Swift R. How to block and tackle the face. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998 Mar;101(3):840-51.
- Jana S, Guha R, De KS, Adhikari B, Das P. Nasal Bone Fracture Reduction Under Local Anaesthesia: A Holistic Approach to Nasal Blocks and a Comparison with General Anaesthesia. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Feb;76(1):358-364.
- Sharma SD, Kwame I, Almeyda J. Patient aesthetic satisfaction with timing of nasal fracture manipulation. Surg Res Pract. 2014;2014:238520.
- Wick EH, Whipple ME, Hohman MH, Moe KS. Computer-Aided Rhinoplasty Using a Novel "navigated" Nasal Osteotomy Technique: A Pilot Study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Oct;130(10):1148-1155.
- Younes A, Elzayat S. The role of septoplasty in the management of nasal septum fracture: a randomized quality of life study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2016 Nov;45(11):1430-1434.
- Wang W, Lee T, Kohlert S, Kadakia S, Ducic Y. Nasal Fractures: The Role of Primary Reduction and Secondary Revision. Facial Plast Surg. 2019 Dec;35(6):590-601.
- James JG, Izam AS, Nabil S, Rahman NA, Ramli R. Closed and Open Reduction of Nasal Fractures. J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Jan/Feb;31(1):e22-e26.
- Basheeth N, Donnelly M, David S, Munish S. Acute nasal fracture management: A prospective study and literature review. Laryngoscope. 2015 Dec;125(12):2677-84.
- Li K, Moubayed SP, Spataro E, Most SP. Risk Factors for Corrective Septorhinoplasty Associated With Initial Treatment of Isolated Nasal Fracture. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2018 Dec 01;20(6):460-467.
- Hwang K, Yeom SH, Hwang SH. Complications of Nasal Bone Fractures. J Craniofac Surg. 2017 May;28(3):803-805.
- Kass JI, Ferguson BJ. Videos in clinical medicine. Treatment of hematoma of the nasal septum. N Engl J Med. 2015 May 28;372(22):e28.
- Pedroza F, Patrocinio LG, Arevalo O. A review of 25-year experience of nasal septal perforation repair. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2007 Jan-Feb;9(1):12-8.
- Kridel RWH, Delaney SW. Discussion: Acellular Human Dermal Allograft as a Graft for Nasal Septal Perforation Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 Jun;141(6):1525-1527.
- Ozturan O, Yenigun A, Senturk E, Eren SB, Aksoy F. Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Septal Perforation with Interpositional Auricular Cartilage Grafting via a Mucosal Regeneration Technique. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016 Oct;155(4):714-7.
- Xu M, He Y, Bai X. Effect of Temporal Fascia and Pedicle Inferior Turbinate Mucosal Flap on Repair of Large Nasal Septal Perforation via Endoscopic Surgery. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2016;78(6):303-307.
- Waters CM, Zanation AM, Thorp BD, Shockley WW, Clark JM. Repair of Septal Perforation with Endoscopic-Assisted Pericranial Flap Harvest and Open Rhinoplasty Approach. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2020 May/Jun;22(3):225-226.
- Heller JB, Gabbay JS, Trussler A, Heller MM, Bradley JP. Repair of large nasal septal perforations using facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap. Ann Plast Surg. 2005 Nov;55(5):456-9.
- Mobley SR, Boyd JB, Astor FC. Repair of a large septal perforation with a radial forearm free flap: brief report of a case. Ear Nose Throat J. 2001 Aug;80(8):512.
- Gadkaree SK, Weitzman RE, Fuller JC, Justicz N, Gliklich RE. Review of literature of saddle nose deformity reconstruction and presentation of vomer onlay graft. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2020 Dec;5(6):1039-1043.
- Kim DW, Toriumi DM. Management of posttraumatic nasal deformities: the crooked nose and the saddle nose. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2004 Feb;12(1):111-32.
- Gurlek A, Askar I, Bilen BT, Aydogan H, Fariz A, Alaybeyoglu N. The use of lower turbinate bone grafts in the treatment of saddle nose deformities. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2002 Nov-Dec;26(6):407-12.
- Cheney ML, Gliklich RE. The use of calvarial bone in nasal reconstruction. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995 Jun;121(6):643-8.
- Furlan S. Correction of saddle nose deformities by costal cartilage grafts--a technique. Ann Plast Surg. 1982 Jul;9(1):32-5.
- Ishii LE, Tollefson TT, Basura GJ, Rosenfeld RM, Abramson PJ, Chaiet SR, Davis KS, Doghramji K, Farrior EH, Finestone SA, Ishman SL, Murphy RX, Park JG, Setzen M, Strike DJ, Walsh SA, Warner JP, Nnacheta LC. Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty Executive Summary. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Feb;156(2):205-219.
- Hwang K, Kim JH. Effect of Restraining Devices on Facial Fractures in Motor Vehicle Collisions. J Craniofac Surg. 2015 Sep;26(6):e525-7.
- Perkins CS, Layton SA. The aetiology of maxillofacial injuries and the seat belt law. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1988 Oct;26(5):353-63.
- Manninen IK, Klockars T, Mäkinen LK, Blomgren K. Epidemiology and aetiology of sport-related nasal fractures: Analysis of 599 Finnish patients. Clin Otolaryngol. 2023 Jan;48(1):70-74.
- Lee K, Olsen J, Sun J, Chandu A. Alcohol-involved maxillofacial fractures. Aust Dent J. 2017 Jun;62(2):180-185.
- Clyburn TA, Heydemann JA. Fall prevention in the elderly: analysis and comprehensive review of methods used in the hospital and in the home. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011 Jul;19(7):402-9.
References
Rhee SC, Kim YK, Cha JH, Kang SR, Park HS. Septal fracture in simple nasal bone fracture. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004 Jan;113(1):45-52.
Arnold MA, Yanik SC, Suryadevara AC. Septal fractures predict poor outcomes after closed nasal reduction: Retrospective review and survey. Laryngoscope. 2019 Aug;129(8):1784-1790.
Oneal RM, Beil RJ. Surgical anatomy of the nose. Clin Plast Surg. 2010 Apr;37(2):191-211.
Hwang K, Ki SJ, Ko SH. Etiology of Nasal Bone Fractures. J Craniofac Surg. 2017 May;28(3):785-788.
Desrosiers AE, Thaller SR. Pediatric nasal fractures: evaluation and management. J Craniofac Surg. 2011 Jul;22(4):1327-9.
Yu H, Jeon M, Kim Y, Choi Y. Epidemiology of violence in pediatric and adolescent nasal fracture compared with adult nasal fracture: An 8-year study. Arch Craniofac Surg. 2019 Aug;20(4):228-232.
VandeGriend ZP, Hashemi A, Shkoukani M. Changing trends in adult facial trauma epidemiology. J Craniofac Surg. 2015 Jan;26(1):108-12.
Stranc MF, Robertson GA. A classification of injuries of the nasal skeleton. Ann Plast Surg. 1979 Jun;2(6):468-74.
Lu GN, Humphrey CD, Kriet JD. Correction of Nasal Fractures. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2017 Nov;25(4):537-546.
Fattahi T, Salman S. Management of Nasal Fractures. Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2019 Sep;27(2):93-98.
Hoffmann JF. An Algorithm for the Initial Management of Nasal Trauma. Facial Plast Surg. 2015 Jun;31(3):183-93.
Sanyaolu LN, Farmer SE, Cuddihy PJ. Nasal septal haematoma. BMJ. 2014 Nov 04;349:g6075.
Lee IS, Lee JH, Woo CK, Kim HJ, Sol YL, Song JW, Cho KS. Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of nasal bone fractures: a comparison with conventional radiography and computed tomography. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016 Feb;273(2):413-8.
Rohrich RJ, Adams WP. Nasal fracture management: minimizing secondary nasal deformities. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000 Aug;106(2):266-73.
Zide BM, Swift R. How to block and tackle the face. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998 Mar;101(3):840-51.
Jana S, Guha R, De KS, Adhikari B, Das P. Nasal Bone Fracture Reduction Under Local Anaesthesia: A Holistic Approach to Nasal Blocks and a Comparison with General Anaesthesia. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Feb;76(1):358-364.
Sharma SD, Kwame I, Almeyda J. Patient aesthetic satisfaction with timing of nasal fracture manipulation. Surg Res Pract. 2014;2014:238520.
Wick EH, Whipple ME, Hohman MH, Moe KS. Computer-Aided Rhinoplasty Using a Novel "navigated" Nasal Osteotomy Technique: A Pilot Study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Oct;130(10):1148-1155.
Younes A, Elzayat S. The role of septoplasty in the management of nasal septum fracture: a randomized quality of life study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2016 Nov;45(11):1430-1434.
Wang W, Lee T, Kohlert S, Kadakia S, Ducic Y. Nasal Fractures: The Role of Primary Reduction and Secondary Revision. Facial Plast Surg. 2019 Dec;35(6):590-601.
James JG, Izam AS, Nabil S, Rahman NA, Ramli R. Closed and Open Reduction of Nasal Fractures. J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Jan/Feb;31(1):e22-e26.
Basheeth N, Donnelly M, David S, Munish S. Acute nasal fracture management: A prospective study and literature review. Laryngoscope. 2015 Dec;125(12):2677-84.
Li K, Moubayed SP, Spataro E, Most SP. Risk Factors for Corrective Septorhinoplasty Associated With Initial Treatment of Isolated Nasal Fracture. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2018 Dec 01;20(6):460-467.
Hwang K, Yeom SH, Hwang SH. Complications of Nasal Bone Fractures. J Craniofac Surg. 2017 May;28(3):803-805.
Kass JI, Ferguson BJ. Videos in clinical medicine. Treatment of hematoma of the nasal septum. N Engl J Med. 2015 May 28;372(22):e28.
Pedroza F, Patrocinio LG, Arevalo O. A review of 25-year experience of nasal septal perforation repair. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2007 Jan-Feb;9(1):12-8.
Kridel RWH, Delaney SW. Discussion: Acellular Human Dermal Allograft as a Graft for Nasal Septal Perforation Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 Jun;141(6):1525-1527.
Ozturan O, Yenigun A, Senturk E, Eren SB, Aksoy F. Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Septal Perforation with Interpositional Auricular Cartilage Grafting via a Mucosal Regeneration Technique. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016 Oct;155(4):714-7.
Xu M, He Y, Bai X. Effect of Temporal Fascia and Pedicle Inferior Turbinate Mucosal Flap on Repair of Large Nasal Septal Perforation via Endoscopic Surgery. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2016;78(6):303-307.
Waters CM, Zanation AM, Thorp BD, Shockley WW, Clark JM. Repair of Septal Perforation with Endoscopic-Assisted Pericranial Flap Harvest and Open Rhinoplasty Approach. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2020 May/Jun;22(3):225-226.
Heller JB, Gabbay JS, Trussler A, Heller MM, Bradley JP. Repair of large nasal septal perforations using facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap. Ann Plast Surg. 2005 Nov;55(5):456-9.
Mobley SR, Boyd JB, Astor FC. Repair of a large septal perforation with a radial forearm free flap: brief report of a case. Ear Nose Throat J. 2001 Aug;80(8):512.
Gadkaree SK, Weitzman RE, Fuller JC, Justicz N, Gliklich RE. Review of literature of saddle nose deformity reconstruction and presentation of vomer onlay graft. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2020 Dec;5(6):1039-1043.
Kim DW, Toriumi DM. Management of posttraumatic nasal deformities: the crooked nose and the saddle nose. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2004 Feb;12(1):111-32.
Gurlek A, Askar I, Bilen BT, Aydogan H, Fariz A, Alaybeyoglu N. The use of lower turbinate bone grafts in the treatment of saddle nose deformities. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2002 Nov-Dec;26(6):407-12.
Cheney ML, Gliklich RE. The use of calvarial bone in nasal reconstruction. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995 Jun;121(6):643-8.
Furlan S. Correction of saddle nose deformities by costal cartilage grafts--a technique. Ann Plast Surg. 1982 Jul;9(1):32-5.
Ishii LE, Tollefson TT, Basura GJ, Rosenfeld RM, Abramson PJ, Chaiet SR, Davis KS, Doghramji K, Farrior EH, Finestone SA, Ishman SL, Murphy RX, Park JG, Setzen M, Strike DJ, Walsh SA, Warner JP, Nnacheta LC. Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty Executive Summary. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Feb;156(2):205-219.
Hwang K, Kim JH. Effect of Restraining Devices on Facial Fractures in Motor Vehicle Collisions. J Craniofac Surg. 2015 Sep;26(6):e525-7.
Perkins CS, Layton SA. The aetiology of maxillofacial injuries and the seat belt law. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1988 Oct;26(5):353-63.
Manninen IK, Klockars T, Mäkinen LK, Blomgren K. Epidemiology and aetiology of sport-related nasal fractures: Analysis of 599 Finnish patients. Clin Otolaryngol. 2023 Jan;48(1):70-74.
Lee K, Olsen J, Sun J, Chandu A. Alcohol-involved maxillofacial fractures. Aust Dent J. 2017 Jun;62(2):180-185.
Clyburn TA, Heydemann JA. Fall prevention in the elderly: analysis and comprehensive review of methods used in the hospital and in the home. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011 Jul;19(7):402-9.