Fractures of the nasal bones are very common. Typically these fractures can be "re-set" in the emergency room setting and then splinted. Frequently, patients who have nasal bone factures develop airway obstruction requiring airway surgery. The goals of airway surgery are to re-stablish patency of the airway through straigtening of the nasal septum, reduction of the size of the inferior turbiates, or stabilizing the internal, and external nasal valves.
Autologous cartilage from the septum, ear, or occasionally when these donor sites have already utilized or cannot provide cartilage of sufficient quality or quantity then rib graft is used instead.
http://www.drbriandickinson.com/
