Use of thermoplasticised nasal splint in naso-orbitoethmoid fractures: a technical note

Abstract

asal splints are an indispensable tool in the management of asal fractures as, after reduction, all nasal fractures should be plinted.1 Nasal fractures are usually associated with nasorbitoethomid fractures, which are a more severe injury in hich nasal bones, the nasal processes of the frontal bone, and he frontal process of the maxilla, are involved. This results n severe disfigurement, in particular of the nose.2 The current most popular technique takes care of only the pper half of the dorsum, and does not help to contour the hole of the dorsum possibly resulting in disfigurement of he soft tissues. We proposed a new method of contouring the hole of the nasal soft tissue to achieve a good aesthetic result n a patient who had a Markowitz Type I naso-orbitoethmoid racture with panfacial fracture after a road traffic crash. The patient presented 5 days after the injury with bilatral Le Fort III, and bilateral Le Fort II midface fractures, a arkowitz type I naso-orbitoethmoid fracture, and a fracture f the symphysis of the mandible (Fig. 1). After submenal intubation the naso-orbitoethmoid fracture was exposed hrough a bicoronal approach. After reduction and fixation ith 1.5 mm adaptation plates (DePuy Synthes, Switzerland), e put on a thermoplasticised nasal splint with perforations Aquaplast PSTM Thermoplastic Nasal Splints, Avondale, SA). (Fig. 2). o The splint is softened in a hot saline bath at 55 C and dapted perfectly to the desired contour. The excess is cut ff and the pieces used for holding the splint in place. Care