A self-retaining nasal splint

Custom-Made Eyeglass-Holding Hook on a Snapback Cap to Prevent Nose-Pads From Directly Resting Upon the Nose

The authors innovated a simple device that hooks the bridge of eyeglasses to a snapback cap (EHS) so that the nose-pads of glasses do not rest upon the nose.A snapback cap with 2 eyelets on the front panel is prepared. A fishing line or IV tubing is introduced through 2 eyelets and a loop is made inside of the cap. A paper clip is bent to make a J-shaped hook that holds the bridge of the glasses. A loop of line is connected through the J-hook and the length is adjusted to prevent the nose-pads of glasses from directly resting on the nose.The eyeglass-holding hook on a snapback cap pulls the eyeglasses, and the direction of the vector can be adjusted through the eyelets on the front panel and the strap on the back.Our EHS is simple and cheap. It is considered that patients themselves can produce this device.

Management of Nasal Fractures in Sports

Nasal fractures represent approximately 60% of all maxillofacial injuries that occur in athletic activities; however, there are no current guidelines regarding immediate sideline management of these injuries. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to (1) summarize the anatomy, etiology, and incidence of nasal fractures, and (2) evaluate the current body of literature regarding immediate on-field and subsequent outpatient management. It is imperative to establish that the athlete's airway is not compromised and there are no other severe concomitant injuries, such as a concussion, ocular injury, or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Immediate closed reduction should not be attempted unless there is airway compromise or the practitioner has experience in performing it. The majority of athletes with these injuries in isolation may return to play; however, in our practice, we recommend they wear a face mask for 6 weeks after their injury. Despite our recommendations, we know there is a paucity of clinical studies on immediate sideline and longer-term management. Future studies should focus on establishing therapeutic algorithms that will allow physicians to make treatment recommendations to patients with strong evidence to support their decision.

A novel, conformable, rapidly setting nasal splint material: results of a prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To determine if a fiberglass splint material (3M Scotchcast, St Paul, Minn; Smith & Nephew, Inc, Charlotte, NC) serves as a better nasal cast than Aquaplast (Smith & Nephew, Inc) based on the criteria of total preparation time, ease of use, conformability, adhesion, and patient acceptability.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized comparison study with statistical analysis.

SETTING

University-based division of a facial plastic surgery private clinic.

PATIENTS

Sixteen consecutive patients desiring a functional and aesthetic improvement underwent open structure rhinoplasty with lateral osteotomies. No patients withdrew because of adverse effects.

INTERVENTION

Half of the patients were randomized to the study group (fiberglass splint material) and half to the control group (Aquaplast). Each patient was fitted with the appropriate casting material at the conclusion of the rhinoplasty procedure. Data were collected with respect to total preparation time, ease of use, conformability, and adhesion. Each patient was asked to evaluate the cast for level of comfort after 1 week.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between study groups for adhesion (P =.18) and conformability (P =.35). Patient acceptability was good or excellent in both study groups. The fiberglass splint material was significantly easier to use (P<.001) and required less total preparation time (P<.001). The mean total preparation time for the Aquaplast and fiberglass splint materials were, respectively, 7 minutes 32 seconds and 2 minutes 37 seconds.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the commonly used nasal splinting material Aquaplast, fiberglass splint material is not significantly more adhesive, conformable, or comfortable for the patient. Fiberglass splint material is significantly easier to use and requires less total preparation time than Aquaplast. These differences may provide advantages in the immediate postoperative period and for the long-term success of rhinoplasty surgery.