Rhinoplasty consists of different techniques and methods depending on the look, feel, and function of the desired outcome. As one of the most difficult facial surgery procedures to perform, our surgeons at Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO are highly skilled and knowledgeable about every aspect of rhinoplasty so our patients can get beautiful and natural-looking results.
We believe our patients should be well informed when making the decision to get undergo any aesthetic facial procedure, so they know what will and will not work for their unique situation. In this blog, we will explain the differences between the two primary ways to approach rhinoplasty: the open method and the closed method. Although the end goals of improving function and/or cosmesis may be similar, the techniques are not the same.
Here’s a closer look at the differences between open and closed rhinoplasty:
What is closed rhinoplasty?
The closed rhinoplasty approach involves incisions that are placed inside the nostrils only. Some surgeons refer to this as an “endonasal” rhinoplasty. The skin of the nose is raised from the inside to allow the correction of asymmetries and imperfections. An analogy would be to think about raising the hood of a car only slightly so your hand can reach underneath to feel the parts of the engine, but your ability to see is much more limited. The pros of this technique are no visible external scars, decreased swelling post-operatively, and faster surgery time. The cons are the lack of precision, inability to perform structure techniques well, and limited visualization of key portions of the nose. Less than 5% of cases at Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery are performed in this manner.
What is an open rhinoplasty?
The open rhinoplasty approach involves an incision at the columella, or underside of the nose, in addition to incisions inside the nostrils. This allows the entire skin to be raised, providing a complete visualization of the underlying tissue, cartilage, and bone. Similar to the above analogy, this would be like completely raising the hood of a car to allow you to see and fix everything precisely. The pros of this technique are the ability to provide structure, visualize the nose completely, and be precise. The cons are more swelling post-operatively and more operative time. Over 95% of our cases at Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery are performed using this technique. Our surgeons feel that the ability to control ideal patient outcomes is much higher with this technique compared to the closed approach.
Contact us today to learn more about the different methods of rhinoplasty surgery in Englewood, CO
When considering rhinoplasty, it is important to understand the differences between the approaches to the procedure. At Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO, we feel open rhinoplasty affords substantially better outcomes than closed rhinoplasty for our patients. During your consultation, our expert surgeons will thoroughly and honestly explain all of your facial plastic surgery options so you can make the best decisions for creating a more aesthetically pleasing and/or functioning appearance. If you are unhappy with the size and shape of your nose, contact us today to see if you are a candidate for rhinoplasty.
