Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries. It can make your nose larger, smaller, wider, or narrower, and it can fix bumps or sharp angles. Rhinoplasty is also a great procedure for people who want to correct a crooked or asymmetrical nose.
Before your surgery, you and your doctor will decide whether your rhinoplasty should be open or closed. Open and closed rhinoplasties can achieve similar results, but they use different surgical techniques. There are pros and cons to each method, so you should make your decision carefully.
Benefits of Open Rhinoplasty
An open rhinoplasty involves making an incision on the strip of skin between your nostrils. With this incision, your doctor can lift up the skin on your nose and directly see the bone and tissue underneath. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes between one and four hours.
The main benefit of open rhinoplasty is that your surgeon can manipulate the bone and tissue more precisely than with a closed rhinoplasty. The placement of the incision will allow your doctor to get a better look at the structure of your nose.
This type of surgery is usually recommended for people whose noses are either projected, which means the nose sticks out far from the face, or deprojected, which means the nose is pushed close to the face. More complex surgeries will usually require the open approach.
Benefits of Closed Rhinoplasty
During closed rhinoplasty, your surgeon will make incisions on the inside of your nostrils. This procedure usually takes less time than an open rhinoplasty and can sometimes be performed under local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia.
Closed rhinoplasty isn’t an option for all patients. With this technique, your surgeon may not be able to access or manipulate all the tissue in your nose. However, it’s usually a good option for patients who want to remove a bump or narrow their nasal bridge or nostrils.
The biggest advantage of a closed rhinoplasty is that it leaves no visible scar. After an open rhinoplasty, you may have a faint scar on the skin between your nostrils. Because a closed rhinoplasty only requires incisions inside your nostrils, there will be no scarring.
The recovery period is usually easier with a closed rhinoplasty, too. Most patients who have a closed rhinoplasty experience less swelling and bruising than patients who have an open surgery. You’ll probably have less downtime after a closed rhinoplasty than after an open rhinoplasty, and you’ll experience less pain and discomfort.
Which Is Right for Me?
There are benefits to both types of rhinoplasty, so you and your surgeon will have to decide which method is better. Your surgeon will consider your nasal structure and your cosmetic goals when choosing which method to use.
If your rhinoplasty will require lots of precise manipulation, your doctor will probably recommend an open surgery. This method can achieve more accurate and dramatic results. However, if your goals can be achieved with a closed rhinoplasty, you should probably choose that method. Closed rhinoplasty has a faster recovery time and won’t leave a scar, so it’s usually easier than open rhinoplasty.
Dr. Daniel G. Becker of the Becker Rhinoplasty Center is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is a nose job specialist practicing in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was recognized as a Top Doctor for Rhinoplasty in Philadelphia Magazine and has been rated highly by numerous other magazines. If you’re interested in rhinoplasty, you can learn more about his practice here: https://www.therhinoplastycenter.com/
