Posted May 11, 2023 in Rhinoplasty
Although rhinoplasty (nose reshaping surgery) can tackle a wide variety of aesthetic imperfections, plastic surgeons utilize one of two main approaches when performing the surgery: open or closed rhinoplasty. Top Sacramento plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Green endorses and uses the open rhinoplasty technique with his patients. This is true of most of the best plastic surgeons. Below, Dr. Green shares the differences between open and closed and why he finds the open rhinoplasty approach superior.
What Are Open and Closed Rhinoplasty
The main distinction between open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty is the placement of the surgical incision. With open (external) rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes an incision across the strip of tissue between the nostrils, known as the columella. Because the surgeon has better access to the rest of the nose through the columella, it is better for more complex and precise adjustments to the nose.
With closed (endonasal) rhinoplasty, the surgeon places all incisions within the nostrils so that there are no visible scars. While this is obviously appealing to patients, it does limit the kind of work a plastic surgeon can do.
Why Dr. Green Utilizes the Open Rhinoplasty Approach
Regardless of the approach, rhinoplasty is one of the most technical and complex types of plastic surgery. Closed rhinoplasty limits access to other areas of the nose, whereas open rhinoplasty makes it easier for Dr. Green to make slight, precise changes to the bone and cartilage. He has found that he achieves rhinoplasty results that are appealing and meet or exceed the patient’s expectations when he performs open rhinoplasty.
Although open rhinoplasty’s recovery is modestly longer, most patients agree that it is still brief with the discomfort being manageable. Considering that a scar on the columella is not noticeable face-on and can fade from visibility almost entirely with time, concerns about scarring tend to be negligible anyway.
See the Difference Open Rhinoplasty Makes
Proof of open rhinoplasty’s superiority can be found in Dr. Green’s portfolio. Before and after photos of his patients demonstrate that by increasing his access to other areas of the nose, Dr. Green can smooth a bump, narrow the bridge, change the projection of the nasal tip, and straighten a deviated septum.
If you are interested in reshaping your nose and have been looking for a renowned facial plastic surgeon with a delicate technique that can achieve symmetrical, natural-looking results, schedule a consultation with Dr. Green. Call (916) 929-1833 for his Sacramento office or (916) 773-5559 for his Granite Bay office.