Nasal soft tissue trauma and management.

The nose is the most prominent of all facial structures and is susceptible to many types of trauma. All soft tissue injuries of the nose have the potential to distort its appearance and adversely affect the patient's self-image and self-esteem. Once life-threatening injuries are stabilized, a careful history and physical exam should be completed and treatment individualized. The ultimate objective of treatment is to achieve both functional and cosmetic restoration with timely diagnosis and repair. Immediate nasal reconstruction is ideal when medically possible because this decreases long-term sequelae.