This study was conducted to investigate the vulnerability of the nasal
bones following rhinoplasty. The incidence of nasal bone fracture in
the general population was reviewed from the data available from the N
ational Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The NCHS report indicates
an average of 51,200 nasal bone fractures each year for an average ye
arly population of 239,328,200 over a 5-year period for the United Sta
tes, producing an average rate of 0.021 percent per year. The history
of 1121 patients who had undergone routine rhinoplasty or septorhinopl
asty on an elective basis was then investigated for possible fractures
following rhinoplasty. Of this group, 24 patients (16 females and 8 m
ales) sustained a total of 28 nasal bone fractures following rhinoplas
ty over a mean follow-up period of 4 years. This yields an actual or c
rude rate of 0.624 percent per year, as compared with the age-standard
ized rate of 0.485 percent, according to the indirect adjustment metho
d. The time interval between the first nasal procedure and subsequent
fracture varied greatly, spanning from 1 month to 6 years. The average
time interval between the first nasal procedure and the subsequent fr
acture for 16 patients was less than 1 year. Over 70 percent of the pa
tient population (n = 17) who sustained postrhinoplasty fracture were
under 30 years old at the time of the fracture. On the basis of the st
udy, it was concluded that the incidence of nasal bone fracture follow
ing rhinoplasty (0.624 percent actual and 0.485 percent adjusted) is h
igher than that of fracture in the general population (0.021 percent)
(p < 0.001).