PATTERNS OF NASAL TRAUMA DURING CLOSE COMBAT TRAINING IN MILITARY TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

Nasal Trauma During Close Combat Training

Abstract

Objective: To identify the patterns and optimum management of nasal trauma during close combat training in military training institutions.
Study Design: Descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in ENT department, Combined Military Hospital Abbottabad from August 2007 to July 2010.
Material and Methods: All patients who reported with nasal trauma during the training were included in the study. A total of 200 cases were studied. They were all males and their ages were between 16 to 24 years.
Results: The most common presentation of nasal trauma was epistaxis (92.5 %) while 7.5 % of cases were having no nasal bleed. Nineteen percent cases had external deviation of nasal axis while only 17% revealed inferior turbinate injury after initial treatment. Septal hematoma was present in 15% and was drained immediately in all cases. Nasal bone fracture was present in 36.5%. Anterior nasal packing was sufficient to stop nasal bleed in 80% cases of episatxis while 20% cases of nasal bleed required post nasal packing.
Conclusion: The close combat techniques in army training institutions have increased the risk of nasal trauma and many different patterns of this trauma have been identified. Addressing the epistaxis, septal heamatoma and fracture nasal bone reduces the chances of complications.
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