EURO 2024. Kylian Mbappé injured in the nose: will his fracture cause breathing difficulties ?

Kylian Mbappé has returned to training after injuring his nose. dpa – Robert Michael

After the broken nose of the captain of the France team during the Blues' opening match in Euro 2024, we wonder about the possible difficulties in breathing after such trauma. Are they systematic ? How to remedy them ?

Kylian Mbappé will play the next matches of the competition with a mask. Objective: to protect his broken nose after a violent impact against the shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso, Monday June 17, during France's first match in Euro 2024.

Quidof the respiratory capacity of the star striker of the Blues ? After a nasal fracture, the immediate symptoms, in addition to pain, are bleeding and swelling of the nose. It is therefore normal to feel respiratory obstruction in the first days. This discomfort gradually diminishes, at the same time as the tissue swelling subsides. This can take anywhere from a few days to two to three weeks.

Respiratory difficulty in the event of septal hematoma, an emergency

However, according to the Adolphe de Rothschild Foundation Hospital, if the breathing difficulties are very severe and are accompanied by intense pain, then you should consult a doctor immediately. as soon as possible. Indeed, hematoma of the nasal septum, in the absence of treatment, can be responsible for an infection of the cartilage, septal necrosis (necrosis of the nasal septum) with sometimes significant aesthetic consequences, in addition to respiratory function disorders.

A possible deviation of the partition

A fracture of the nasal bones can be accompanied by a deviation of the nasal septum, the cartilage that separates the right and left nasal passages. This "post-traumatic deformation of the septum", described by the Rohtschild Foundation Hospital, is the cause of breathing difficulties .

In the event of deviation, "surgery to straighten the septum will only be considered within approximately 2 months. This time is necessary to see the post-traumatic edema completely disappear and to carefully analyze the residual septum deformation, continues the establishment. After having a CT scan, the patient may undergo septoplasty – i.e. a repositioning of the nasal septum – if the surgeon considers it necessary.

Breathing through the mouth ?

S’it will undoubtedly be difficult for Kylian Mbappé to breathe through his nose for a few more days – and until a future operation in the event of deviation of the septum – discomfort on the field should be manageable for the athlete. Indeed, during intense exercise, which increases ventilatory flow, high-level athletes breathe mainly through the mouth in order to provide their body with the quantity of oxygen it needs.