Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Nasal Fractures

Objectives Nasal bone fracture is a frequent entity consulted to the otolaryngologists, approximately accounting for 39% of all facial bone fractures. The most frequent mechanisms of injury consist of assault, sport-related injuries, falls, and motor vehicle accidents. In this study, we examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric nasal fractures. Methods Children with nasal fracture who applied to Malatya Training and Research Hospital during the year before the first case and the following year were included in this study. Data of 172 patients for the pre-pandemic period and 79 patients for pandemic were available and included in the study. Demographic information, clinical features, nasal fracture etiology, nasal fracture type, type and time of intervention, and other accompanying pathologies were recorded. Results While falls was the leading cause of fracture etiology before the pandemic (64 patients [37.21%]), assault seems to be the leading cause during the pandemic period (27 children [34.18%]). In the pre-pandemic period, the intervention for patients with nasal fractures was performed on an average of 5 days, while this period was calculated as an average of 6 days during the pandemic period. When the 2 groups are compared in terms of nasal fracture intervention time, it was seen that the intervention time was statistically significantly later in the pandemic period ( P < .001). According to the results of the analysis, the most cases in the pandemic period were seen in the fourth month, which indicated a-month period between 11 June and 11 July. Conclusions In conclusion, our number of nasal fracture cases was decreased during the pandemic period compared to the 1-year period before the pandemic. We observed the most common type IIA nasal fracture. We gave outpatient treatment to most of the patients. Our most common cause of fracture was assault. We intervened in our cases in an average of 6 days and preferred closed reduction most frequently. We could not find any study on the same subject in the literature, and we aimed to contribute to the literature with this study.

1402 Impact of COVID-19 on Nasal Fracture Presentation and Epidemiology: A Retrospective Comparative Case-series Study

Aim Nasal fractures (NF) are the most common ENT presentation and commonly managed in the clinic or A&E. With the recent COVID pandemic, this study aims to assess the difference in demographics, incidence and aetiology in NF since the start of the first lockdown (16/03/2020) as well as management of nasal fractures. Method Retrospectively, data collection on demographics, history and management over 5 years (2015-2020) for all patients presenting with symptoms of nasal fracture. Data was collected on password-protected Excel spreadsheet and subsequent statistical analysis performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Results A total of 346 patients were identified of which 36 were diagnosed during the lockdown. Seventy-one percent were ≤40 years old and common aetiology recorded was assault (n = 85), sports (n = 85) and falls (n = 77). Mechanical fall was the common aetiology in older patients. Across gender, falls was the most common aetiology in females (37/94) and assault for males (72/246). Epistaxis (57%) and nasal congestion (31.8%) were most commonly reported symptoms. Before lockdown, Fifty-six percent of the cohort underwent manipulation of NF under local anaesthetic and no intervention needed in 39% while 58% underwent no intervention during the lockdown. No patients were readmitted in 30 days who were treated conservatively or with local anaesthetic during the lockdown. Conclusions This study showed that the most common cause of NF was sports and assault while during the lockdown, falls was the leading cause. More patients were managed conservatively during the lockdown with no 30-readmission showing that conservative management was as effective as management under local anaesthetic.

1452 How Did We Nose? COVID Adaptation of Our Nasal Fracture Service

Introduction Nasal fractures are a common ENT emergency that present to ED typically with a history of trauma. They can leave behind functional problems with breathing and can be cosmetically very deforming. For this reason, they need to be managed appropriately by the specialist team. In UHS, Southampton Hospital these patients were initially followed up by Care UK but during COVID, in order to minimise patient contact we came up with a modified patient initiated follow up pathway. (PIFU) Method Based on commonly agreed departmental guidelines: We looked at the statistics from 2019 and compared it with data from August – October 2020 and reviewed all patients who presented via ED and GP to us with nasal fractures visa image and telephone review and face to face meetings over a 3-month period. Results Despite lower attendances in ED during months of lockdown we still had 48 patients in 3 months i.e., nearly 4 patients every week. 50% did not initiate follow up. Of the patients who initiated follow up a third required MUA of which one was under general anaesthesia. All patients were treated within 21 days. Conclusions Our modified management pathway is compliant with the guidelines despite some consultations via telephone calls and image reviews.

The Effect of COVID on Nasal Fracture Management in ENT Emergency Clinics

Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: Management of nasal fractures is usually in ENT emergency clinics, with our center aiming to assess patients within 10-days. During 2020, there have been numerous lockdowns and social distancing measures implemented in the UK as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID). This study aimed to assess the effect of COVID on nasal fracture management in ENT emergency clinics in terms of number of patients seen, time to follow up and their management strategies. Methods: All patients with suspected or confirmed nasal bone fractures presenting to the emergency department (ED) between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020 at our major trauma center were analyzed in 2 groups depending on the year they were seen (2019 vs. 2020). Results: There was a total of 104 patients analyzed, with 51.4% decrease in the number of patients seen in 2020 versus 2019. The mean days to follow up in 2019 was 8.09 days and 7.65 days in 2020 ( P = .37). There was no statistically significant difference in the number of patients seen within the 10-day target between years (2019 = 65.7% vs. 2020 = 76.5%, P = .35). The majority of patients were managed with manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) in 2019 (n = 32, 45.7%) vs. discharge from clinic in 2020 (n = 21, 61.8%). Conclusions: Our study shows a drastic reduction in the number of patients seen in ENT emergency clinic from 2019 to 2020. This is in-keeping with other studies that have shown a reduction in ED attendances, trauma admissions and admissions across other specialties all around the world.

Nasal fractures: a dedicated clinic providing reduction under local anaesthesia improves time to manipulation

Introduction Guidelines for nasal injury state that assessment should be at 7–10 days post-injury and manipulation within 14 days. We performed a plan, do, study, act improvement cycle to assess whether a dedicated nasal fracture service led to better outcomes. Materials and methods A retrospective study was carried out of all patients undergoing manipulation under anaesthesia for nasal trauma between February 2013 and December 2016 in a district general hospital. A dedicated nasal fracture clinic providing manipulation under local anaesthesia was implemented followed by a prospective study of all patients presenting to the clinic between February and November 2017. Main outcome measures included time from injury to otolaryngology assessment, time from injury to manipulation and incidence of secondary septorhinoplasty. Results The retrospective series involved 525 patients including 381 males (72.6%) and 144 females (27.4%). Mean time from injury to assessment was 10 days. Mean time from injury to surgery was 14.5 days. Mean time from assessment to surgery was five days. The incidence of septorhinoplasty was 2.3%. The prospective series involved 119 patients including 78 males (65.5%) and 41 females (34.5%). Following implementation of a nasal fracture clinic, mean time from injury to assessment and manipulation was 6.1 days and 5.4% of patients underwent septorhinoplasty for secondary deformity. Discussion Implementation of a nasal fracture clinic providing reduction under local anaesthesia reduced the time to assessment and manipulation. The incidence of septorhinoplasty is low following reduction under general or local anaesthesia. Assessment earlier than seven days is feasible and advice for referral can be changed accordingly.

Lateral nasal wall abscess following manipulation of fractured nasal bones

Nasal fracture accounts for over 50% of facial fractures and is a frequent presentation to ear, nose and throat emergency clinics. Optimal management of nasal injuries with deformity is by manipulation under anaesthetic and should be offered when appropriate. A healthy 27-year-old woman presented with a lateral nasal wall mass with purulent discharge 1 month following manipulation. CT imaging revealed a mass arising from fragments of the nasal bone, consistent with an abscess. Bone fragments and purulent material were initially debrided, with a subsequent formal excision of a persistent granuloma performed with an excellent cosmetic outcome. This appears to be the first description of a granuloma resulting from a closed reduction—manipulation of a nasal fracture.