New nasal fracture classification for patients with silicone implants

Abstract

Aesthetic nasal augmentation has increased in popularity among Asian populations, and nasal bone fracture is the most common type of facial bone fracture. In Asia, the frequency of nasal bone fractures is also increasing among patients who have undergone silicone augmentation rhinoplasty. The increasing prevalence of this injury presents a challenge to the surgeon. Thirty-six patients who had previously undergone augmentation rhinoplasty with silicone implant presented with nasal bone fracture from June 2007 through December 2011. The patients were grouped into three categories: patients with fractures in the high level (type I), patients with fractures in the low level (type II), and patients with fractures throughout the entire nasal bone, from base to top (type III). The largest group comprised patients with type I fractures (n = 24, 67%), followed by type II (n = 4, 11%), and Type III (n = 8, 22%) fractures. Symptoms and surgical outcomes for nasal bone fractures may be different in patients with silicone implants. A novel classification system for nasal bone fractures is required, as is a new approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Key Words::

• Nasal bone fracture
• augmentation rhinoplasty
• silicone implant

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a Grant from Inje University, Busan, Korea, 2011.