Advice From a Seasoned Beverly Hills Rhinoplasty Surgeon
Closed rhinoplasty (also known as endonasal rhinoplasty) is defined by the surgical technique using internal hidden incisions to prevent from any external scarring. The operative closed rhinoplasty process from start to finish, including functional component for breathing [as needed] is performed via internal incisions; the incisions are closed with absorbable stitches.
Open rhinoplasty (also known as external rhinoplasty) is defined by the surgical technique using an external, horizontal incision is fashioned between the two nostrils. The rhinoplasty open incision is carried into the nasal interior where the extended incision becomes less visible. The visible, outside incision is closed with several layers of stitches that are removed typically within a week. While the incision is visible at that time, with maturity over a period of months it usually becomes less conspicuous.
Closed rhinoplasty is an advanced surgical technique surgeons trained within the past 20 years are typically less skilled at. Open rhinoplasty can be advantageous with increased popularity of nose cartilage, bone and other tissue-grafting techniques. Open rhinoplasty may also be helpful in revision rhinoplasty. Closed rhinoplasties, due to their advanced technique are more advantageous when it comes to a majority of straight forward rhinoplasties.
Closed rhinoplasty is very technically challenging unless one was trained by master nasal surgeons who were excellent technicians. The burden of closed rhinoplasty is the need to perform an entire operation “through a key-hole” or “cutting and sewing” through a small tunnel. It takes superior training, precision, and years of experience. During the rhinoplasty procedure, a nose surgeon has to be able to “ visualize” some portions of the nose without actually seeing them. However, the nose surgeon who is facile with this technique finds it “ routine” likely has fewer incisions to make and therefore less chance of surgical complications. Surgeons who are experienced with closed rhinoplasty can perform an open rhinoplasty with precision and ease; surgeons who perform mostly open rhinoplasties cannot easily make the transition to the closed technique.