Treatment of nasal fractures by Paul of Aegina

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The most exact description of the management of nasal fractures given by any physician of ancient times belongs to Paul of Aegina (AD 625–690). The goal of this article is to describe the therapeutic methods and surgical techniques used by Paul of Aegina in the treatment of nasal injuries. STUDY DESIGN: We studied the original Greek texts and the translation published in Venice, titled “The seven books of excellent doctor Paul of Aegina.” The sixth book of his medical compendium is devoted to surgery. We identified the treatments and techniques applied to the restoration of injured noses. CONCLUSION: In this historical article we present the management of nasal fractures by Paul of Aegina. Paul of Aegina's conservative and surgical management for each form of injury was adopted by later physicians and influenced European medicine, a management surprisingly identical with the way nasal fractures are managed nowadays.