Ear, nose and dental injuries Flashcards
What are the three nasal injuries?
Epistaxis, nasal fractures and septal haematoma
What are the two types of epistaxis?
Spontaneous (generally bleeding from Little’s area; often recurrent; most common) and traumatic (blow from another person or piece of equipment)
What is the treatment of epistaxis?
Direct pressure for around 20 mins, gauze for direct pressure, nasal packing and specialist ENzT referral
What are the mechanisms and symptoms of nasal fractures?
Mechanism = direct blunt trauma
Symptoms = local pain, epistaxis, local swelling/bruising, deformity, increased mobility
What is the simple treatment for nasal fractures?
Control bleeding (local pressure 10-20mins, nasal packing and antibiotics), lacerations (sutures or steristrip)
What is a septal haematoma?
A septal cartilage injury in which bleeding is occurring in overlying mucoperochondrium.
What is the treatment of a septal haematoma?
Needs to be drained to avoid subsequent risks, ENT referral, incision and drainage, IV antibotics
What are the 3 ear injuries?
Ear laceration, Auricular haematoma and perforated tympanic membrane
What is the treatment for an ear laceration?
Direct pressure, control bleeding on field, simple suture, if complex - refer
What are the mechanisms of auricular haematomas?
Shearing recurrent blows causing haemorrhage under perichondrium (away from cartilage)
What is the treatment for auricular haematomas?
Ice, compression, aseptic drainage, packing, firm bandage, daily review
What are the mechanisms of a perforated tympanic membrane?
Acute blow - pressure waves
Barotrauma (i.e., diving, scuba)
What is the treatment for a fractured tooth?
Collect all fragments, wash in saline/milk, ensure tooth has not been inhaled or digested and refer
What is the treatment for an avulsed tooth?
Handle by crown of tooth, wash off with saline, reimplant (correct alignment, correct tooth, do not force, bite down on gauze) - dental referral
