NASAL AIRWAY MAINTENANCE AFTER CLOSED REDUCTION OF NASAL FRACTURE: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Objective: To present a case of closed reduction of nasal fracture with modification of the technique of anterior nasal packing and subsequent maintenance of the upper airway in the immediate postoperative. Case Description: patient´s sporting accident victim (capoeira) with a history of trauma in the middle third of the face and epistaxis at the time of trauma. On physical examination, facial edema was observed in the nasal region, bilateral periorbital ecchymosis and edema, subconjunctival hemorrhage in the right eye, lateral-deviation of the nasal dorsum to the left side, and crackling nasal obstruction, especially in the right nostril, and other bony contours of face preserved. The imaging exams evidence suggestive signs of fracture of nasal bone. The reduction of the fracture took place in closed form under local anesthesia. After the reduction, we opted for the use of an intra-nasal probe Nelaton, aiming maintaining upper airway, followed by anterior nasal packing with vaseline gauze. The patient was followed up for one month, and six months post op. Conclusion : the reduction of fractures of the nasal bones with airway maintenance, closed form under local anesthesia is a technique that can be performed with good safety margin, giving the patient greater comfort in the postoperative period.