Use of a bioabasorbable bone pin fixation for nasal fractures.

After repairing a nasal fracture, it is customary to provide postoperative support for the nasal bone with intranasal, antibiotic-soaked gauze packing and an external splint. However, in cases of a skull base fracture with liquorrhea, this procedure is generally contraindicated because of the risk of infection. To lessen this risk, the authors used a bioabsorbable pin which is ultimately absorbed by the body through the natural process of hydrolysis. An intranasal support was inserted from outside the skin down to the maxilla. The operative results were satisfactory with no postoperative complications such as an inflammatory reaction or an infection.