Open vs Closed Technique

Surgical Rhinoplasty Techniques

There are two basic approaches to surgical rhinoplasty: the open technique and the closed technique. In brief, open rhinoplasty utilizes an incision across the columella in order to reshape the inside of the nose, while closed rhinoplasty uses incisions inside of the nostril. Many patients prefer closed rhinoplasty because it means that there will be no visible scar following the surgery. However, many doctors prefer open rhinoplasty because it gives them greater access to the structure of the nose and, therefore, they can ensure the best possible results. In order to determine the best technique for the individual case, the patient should meet with Dr. Yoo for a consultation.

Open Rhinoplasty

In open rhinoplasty, an incision is made across the columella, the soft tissue separating the nostrils. Then, the doctor can lift the skin up from the nose, providing them with direct visualization of the internal structure of the nose.

Benefits

Open rhinoplasty gives the doctor greater access to the internal structure of the nose. This technique improves the accuracy of the patient’s results. Many doctors believe that this small scar, which will continue to fade over time, is worth the trade off for improved precision. It also minimizes potential distortion of the nasal cartilage.

Good Candidates

Most patients who are good candidates for surgical rhinoplasty would be good candidates for open rhinoplasty. Patients who require more severe corrections would be the best possible candidates for open rhinoplasty. Most patients who have broken their nose require an open rhinoplasty.

Closed Rhinoplasty

In closed rhinoplasty, the incisions are made on the inside of the nose, so that there are no resulting visible scars. Once the doctor has made the internal incision, he will access the underlying nasal structure through this incision. This gives the doctor less visibility of the nasal structure. However, doctors with expertise in facial plastic surgery, like Dr. Yoo, can perform highly successful rhinoplasty surgeries using this closed technique.

Benefits

Besides a lack of visible scarring, there are other benefits to the closed rhinoplasty approach. In most cases, a closed rhinoplasty procedure will be shorter than an open rhinoplasty procedure. It will also result in less swelling and require less recovery time.

Good Candidates

Good candidates for closed rhinoplasty would be those with less dramatic nasal complications without expectation of dramatically changed results. Nasal concerns that are easiest to correct using the closed technique include a nasal hump and curved nose. For men and women with very small nasal concerns, Dr. Yoo may recommend a non-surgical nose job with dermal fillers as an alternative.

The only way to determine whether or not a patient would be best suited for an open or closed rhinoplasty technique is by scheduling a consultation with a doctor who is highly experienced performing both techniques, like Dr. Yoo. The doctor will communicate closely with the patient, discussing their concerns and goals, in order to decide the best treatment for their individual case. Contact Dr. Yoo today in his Irvine of Beverly Hills, CA office to get started!