This week I met with a 14 year old girl and her parents. She was playing on a trampoline and had broken her nose. It was obviously out of place and the parents were concerned about the proper course of action. Should they leave it alone until she was older? Should they have it fixed and try to have a rhinoplasty now? If they have it fixed now will that prevent the need for a rhinoplasty in the future? These were all good questions.

I recommended that she have what is known as a closed reduction. This is a simple procedure (20 min) which will reposition the nasal bones into a more normal location. She is to young to undergo a formal rhinoplasty as she is still growing and besides wants to still play sports and may break it again! It will not prevent the need for a more aesthetic rhinoplasty in the future but will certainly make it easier if you don’t start with a crooked and deviated nose.

Fortunately they came to see me promptly as there is only a 10-14 day window from the time of injury for which this option is available.