A Comparative Study between K-Wire and Intranasal Packing in Nasal Bone Fracture

Min, Byoung Yuk; Kim, Hyun Ung; Chu, Hyung Ro; Park, Chan Hum

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The majority of nasal bone fractures have been managed by using closed reduction and intranasal packing, leaving rooms for many complaints from patients. But the intranasal Kirschner wire (K-wire) splinting described by Chang in 1994 provided rigid intranasal support and increased less complaints from patients. Although the Kirschner wire splinting can be an alternative method for nasal bone packing that accompanies little complaints from patients, literature regarding the efficiency of Kirshcner wire splinting is rare. We studied the efficiency and clinical outcomes between the K-wire splinting and intranasal packing. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Prospectively, we studied 51 patients with nasal bone fracture who have undergone closed reduction. Of these, 30 patients were immobilized with the Kirschner wire splinting and 21 patients were immobilized with intranasal vaseline packing. On the first prospective day, patients were routinely examined by a visual analogue scale. The degree of satisfaction by both doctors and patients was investigated after a minimum 6 months. Complications were studied. All results were statistically confirmed.
RESULTS
Complaints from patients were significantly less when the K-wire was used. There was no statistical difference between satisfaction expressed by doctors and patients, and there were no serious complications in using the K-wire.
CONCLUSION
The K-wire is a reliable and useful immobilization method for nasal bone fracture.