Acute nasal fracture

This condition is treated in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to the referral standards and include:

• Note mechanism of injury
• Epistaxis
• Nasal obstruction
• Neurological sequelae
• Examination findings :
  • Deviation of nasal bridge
  • Septal haematoma
  • Evidence of skull base fracture - CSF rhinorrhoea/otorrhoea, racoon eyes, battle's sign (bruising behind ear), cranial nerve signs

Tests

• Imaging is not indicated for simple nasal fractures unless co-existent fractures, intracranial injury suspected or high force mechanism of injury
• OPG if suspected jaw fracture
• CT if suspected facial fracture

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the ENT clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

• First aid measures including cool compress and pressure over nostrils to manage epistaxis

Direct link to Health Pathways - Nasal Fracture page

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

? Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

? If obvious new nasal bridge deviation or other signs listed in Examination section - refer same day to ED

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Urgent (Category 1)

? If swelling predicating evaluation - refer ENT OPD in 5 days

Note: nasal fractures must be reduced 10 days for best results

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

Unavailable.
See HealthPathways Tasmania for more information

South

Wellington Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9454

To contact the on-call ENT Registrar, phone the switchboard on 03 6166 8308.