1.Association of Nasal Bone Fractures with the Degree of Health Damage
Nomundari E ; ; Bayarmaa E ; Byambasuren L ; Nomintsetseg T ; Batbayar Kh
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;89(5):138-141
Background:
Nasal bone fracture is the most common facial bone injury and remains a significant clinical and forensic
concern. Although perceived as minor, management can lead to long-term complications such as external nasal deformity,
septal perforation, nasal obstruction, and chronic rhinosinusitis. These sequelae compromise quality of life and frequently
give rise to medico-legal disputes regarding the assessment of health damage and work capacity.
Aim:
To characterize nasal bone fractures and septal deformities and to evaluate their correlation with the severity of
health damage and loss of work capacity.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 70 patients individuals with acute nasal bone
fractures treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, First Central Hospital of Mongolia, and patients with minor
injuries assessed at the National Forensic Agency of Mongolia. Data collection included structured questionnaires, physical
examination, nasal endoscopy and computed tomography. Nasal bone fractures were classified according to Hwang
(2002) and septal deviations were categorized using Mladina’s classification (1987). Statistical analyses were performed
to explore associations between fracture type, septal deviation, nasal obstruction and functional impairment.
Results:
Septal deviation was identified in 60% of patients without fracture and in 40% of those with concurrent fractures.
Among 60 cases of blunt nasal trauma, septal deviation showed a statistically significant association with septal fracture
(p=0.001). Hwang type II, III, and IV fractures demonstrated the strongest correlation with unilateral or bilateral nasal
obstruction (χ²=29.72). Bilateral nasal bone fractures were more frequently associated with septal deviation, while logistic
regression analysis revealed an increased risk of impaired work capacity (coefficient 0.237).
Conclusion
1. In 40% of the study participants with nasal trauma, nasal bone fractures were accompanied by septal injury, initially
classified as mild.
2. These patients underwent surgical treatment; however, when the recovery period extended beyond four weeks a
reassessment of health impairment was required. According to the criterion of prolonged disruption of health, the
degree of impairment was subsequently reclassified as moderate.
Result Analysis
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