When it comes to rhinoplasty, no two surgeries are the same. The goals, nose, and facial symmetry of each individual will determine the best approach.
However, when it comes to how the surgery is done there are two types of approaches:
- Closed Rhinoplasty
- Open Rhinoplasty
Closed Rhinoplasty
Closed or Internal Approach Rhinoplasty is the more popular option.
On average, about 9/10 nose jobs use the internal approach. The reason for this is that all of the incisions occur on the inside of the nose, so there is no noticeable scarring after the procedure and less recovery time.
The plastic surgeon makes an incision inside the nostrils and lifts the skin to access the bone and cartilage.
Open Rhinoplasty
An open or external approach rhinoplasty is another good approach to a natural-looking nose job. Although the incision is made on the outside of the nose, the scar is difficult to see once fully healed. Recovery time is a little longer, but it allows for more major changes.
As with internal approach rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes incisions inside the nose. Although, in this approach, they also make an incision across the skin between the nostrils. This allows for greater access and more changes.
Differences Between Open & Closed Rhinoplasty
Purpose
Open and closed rhinoplasty serve different purposes. A closed rhinoplasty modifies the nasal bone and cartilage through:
- Reduction
- Augmentation
- and/or Reshaping
On the other hand, closed rhinoplasty excels at tip refinement and reducing the nasal hump.
With an open rhinoplasty, it’s possible to make bigger adjustments. This method is ideal when making a significant change to the tip or to fix a twisted nose. It’s an effective solution for cartilage grafts or major changes in projection.
Incisions
In closed rhinoplasty, all the incisions are inside the nostril. This makes them invisible to others. In open rhinoplasty, an additional incision is made on the columella (the skin between the nostrils). This means there is a small external scar. Although once healed, this scar is difficult to see.
Risks
With any surgery, there are always potential risks. The rhinoplasty surgery risks for both open and closed approaches are similar. Some temporary effects are expected after the surgery including:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Nasal Blockage
- Some Nasal Bleeding
These are your body’s natural reaction to the procedure and part of the healing process. Your plastic surgeon can give you an estimate of how long to expect these symptoms to last depending on the extent of work done. Although, it does vary somewhat from one person to another.
However, other risks may be cause for concern.
Contact the plastic surgeon if you notice or suspect an infection, impaired breathing, altered sensations, or nosebleeds after the first week. These issues are uncommon, but it is important to be aware of them before beginning surgery.
Recovery
Closed rhinoplasty does tend to have a faster recovery period. However, for both approaches, the initial healing process is typically 1-2 weeks. Most patients recover with 7 days, and after the 5th or 6th day the splint can usually be removed. At this point patients can go in public and, with a little concealer to hide any bruising, no one will know you just had surgery.
Although the superficial healing is fast, internally your nose continues to heal for the next 1-3 years. During this period your life continues as normal.
Is Closed or Open Rhinoplasty Better for Me?
The two approaches have their own sets of pros and cons. Instead of considering which approach you want, you should decide what results you would want to see. When you visit your plastic surgeon, they’ll draw on their expertise to determine which process will net you the best aesthetic results.
Are you considering rhinoplasty in the Greater Toronto Area? Contact Dr. Richard Rival today for your rhinoplasty consultation.