Advantages of plaster of paris splints over denver splints in nasal bone fracture reduction and rhinoplasties

ABSTRACT

Plaster of Paris [POP], thermoplastic splints, and self-adhesive padded aluminium [Denver] splints are the most common splints used to stabilize fractured nasal bones and to support external nasal framework after rhinoplasty. All these splints are efficient but may have disadvantages like being cumbersome, time-consuming, bulky, conspicuous and expensive. K VG Medical College, Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery. A comparative study involving 122 cases of nasal splinting done during the study period of 51 months from Jan 2007 to April 2011. 122 cases of nasal bone fractures and rhinoplasties were splinted using POP and Denver splints to stabilize the nasal framework. 15 cases of nondislocated nasal fractures and 16 cases of internal augmentation rhinoplasties were stabilized by Denver splints. 77 cases of displaced nasal fractures and 14 cases of external rhinoplasties were stabilized by POP splints. POP splints give the best stabilsation for nasal bone fractures as well as for rhinoplasties hut are bulky and conspicuous. Denver nasal splints are not bulky and conspicuous but cannot be used for fractures with lacerations and external rhinoplasties