Open rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure for reshaping the nose that involves making an incision across the columella between the nostrils and exposing underlying nasal structures.
Although it is more invasive than closed rhinoplasty, its increased level of precision allows for changes to be made directly to both its cosmetic aspects as well as its functionality - thus producing a potentially more accurate result.
This article will discuss what one can expect when undergoing open rhinoplasty; from reasons for choosing it over closed procedures to details regarding anaesthesia techniques and post-operative care.
It concludes by outlining potential risks and discussing frequently asked questions about recovering from open rhinoplasty. Through understanding these considerations, patients can make an informed decision when deciding on their chosen method of treatment.
Key Takeaways
- Open Rhinoplasty is a reconstructive surgery to modify the appearance of the nose, with incisions made between nostrils and tissue grafts used in some cases.
- Depending on individual needs, either open or closed rhinoplasty may be selected for cosmetic concerns. Open offers increased visibility during the procedure for precise revisions but carries risks such as bruising & swelling; realistic expectations should be had regarding outcome results following this advanced surgical technique.
- Anaesthesia and incision placement require a tailored approach based on the patient’s personal preference and medical history while Cartilage & bone reshaping within the nose structure plus refinements to define features are performed under direct access given from mid-columellar inverted-V shaped cut near the underside of the bridge (manually/or instruments).
- Symptoms like bruising, swelling and difficulty breathing through a newly shaped nose may occur post-surgery - recovery typically takes around 1 week off work whereas social activity may not resume until 6 weeks when the healing process becomes more pronounced with scarring reducing thereafter if careful attention is taken throughout rehabilitation period towards enjoying final results!
Definition of open rhinoplasty
Open rhinoplasty, also known as a “nose job”, is a surgical technique used to correct the cosmetic and functional deficits of the nose. This procedure involves making incisions to access and modify the osseocartilaginous framework to achieve the desired aesthetic results.
Open rhinoplasty provides direct exposure, inspection, and assessment of the nose structure which allows for very precise modifications that can be difficult or impossible using closed rhinoplasty.
Furthermore, cartilage grafts may be used in many cases which helps restore structural integrity and improve function. The decisions on whether general or local anesthesia is best suited towards each patient are made before surgery by Dr Mohaghegh Plastic Surgeon and your anaesthetist.
Overview of the procedure
Open rhinoplasty is an advanced plastic surgery method used to modify the appearance of the nose. It involves making incisions in various parts of the face, including along both sides of the nostrils and behind them inside the nostrils.
Oftentimes, additional skin may be removed or tissue grafts inserted. The doctor will use small surgical instruments to realign cartilage and bone structure beneath your facial skin, before reattaching it in a new shape.
Your surgeon may use certain techniques such as reshaping cartilage from within your nose or repositioning any broken bones you might have suffered after previous trauma. Open rhinoplasty also enables access to previously hidden nasal structures for revisional work if needed during reconstruction surgeries.
In addition to reshaping, refinements can be made to better define features like a straight ridge line between your eyes or angular tip projection just above them when looking down at your profile.
The recovery time following open rhinoplasty varies depending on how much tissue manipulation has been done; however, typically patients need around one week off work and some form of social activity may not resume until 6 weeks post-operative due to swelling and bruising at this stage while healing takes place prior fully corrected aesthetic results being visible.
Reasons for Choosing Open or Closed Rhinoplasty
Depending on your individual needs, the type of rhinoplasty procedure that’s most suitable for you may vary – find out more to make an informed decision.
Cosmetic concerns
Open rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure that can correct both functional and aesthetic concerns of the nose. For many, an open rhinoplasty provides better access for the surgeon to refine areas such as the bridge, tip or nostrils than may be possible with a closed technique.
However, one of the main disadvantages is visible scarring due to the trans-columellar incision which must be made to gain direct access within the nose. Additionally, although open rhinoplasty does provide increased visualisation during surgery––allowing for more precise revisions––patients should also be aware of other potential risks associated with this type of procedure such as bruising, swelling and impaired nasal airflow or difficulty breathing through their newly shaped nose afterwards.
Patients considering open rhinoplasty should have realistic expectations regarding outcome results and understand all options before making treatment decisions.
Functional issues
Open rhinoplasty can address a variety of problems related to nasal airflow which may cause difficulty in breathing. Some common structural issues that can be corrected with an open rhinoplasty include narrowing of the nasal passages due to abnormalities such as curved cartilage or septal deviations, as well as correcting irregularities caused by trauma or previous surgery.
This procedure can also alter the shape and size of your nose, addressing cosmetic concerns that impact your ability to breathe comfortably. The goal is to create an aesthetically pleasing look while helping you get relief from any functional issues obstructing airflow through your nose.
Patients have found that undergoing this type of targeted surgery has resulted in more even breathing and overall better quality of life from alleviated discomfort associated with functional difficulties.
Procedure for Open Rhinoplasty
Open rhinoplasty involves an incision made between the nostrils to allow for reshaping of the internal structures of the nose, which can help improve both its form and function. Read on to learn more about this procedure!
Anaesthesia and incision placement
Open rhinoplasty requires a tailored approach to anaesthesia that is based on the patient's personal preference and medical history. Patients can choose from either local or general anaesthesia during their procedure, depending on how much discomfort they are willing to experience throughout their operation.
Additionally, different types of anaesthetics may be combined for maximum comfort during the surgery. For example, if performing complex work on both nasal tip and cartilage grafts at once, combining intravenous sedation with local anaesthetic injections can give patients the most ideal experience for such an in-depth procedure.
Regarding incision placement, surgeons generally use a mid-columellar inverted-V-shaped cut near the underside of the nose bridge to minimise visible scarring following recovery. This incision allows more direct access for surgeons so they can perform precise modifications while minimising any potential damage by traditional internal or external instruments like forceps/suction devices which might distort cartilage and soft tissues within nose structures through contact trauma caused by handling which could lead to shape irregularities naturally occurring post rhinoplastic again compromising results post-operatively The strategic positioning of this incision further helps patients reduce postoperative swelling as well as minimise the visibility of any subsequent scarring that would otherwise display prominently due to facial movement when smiling or touching one's face purposely located out of detection in normal vision even under close examination thereby perpetuating confidence into daily life after implantation.
Changes made during the surgery
Open rhinoplasty allows for the correction of both cosmetic and functional deficits of the nose. During open rhinoplasty, a small incision is made on either side of the columella (the middle segment between the nostrils).
This separates the skin from underlying bone and cartilage structure to allow your surgeon more access to all parts of your nasal anatomy. With this increased visibility, they can make precise modifications that can refine shape or address structural imbalances causing breathing problems.
These changes are often very small but have a profound impact on how well you look and breathe as well as reducing any lumps or bumps in your profile that may be visible at rest or during smiling.
Your plastic surgeon will sculpt delicate alterations around these areas so that each step taken contributes significantly to an overall improved outcome in combination with other treatments like septoplasty if required.
Recovery and aftercare
Following open rhinoplasty, patients need to take certain steps for complete and successful recovery. The goal is to minimise swelling and reduce the discomfort associated with healing during these early months post-surgery. Here are a few important guidelines that should be followed:
- Rest in bed with the head elevated to prevent bleeding and swelling from accumulating around the nose.
- A nasal splint will be put in place after surgery which should not be tampered with or removed until your follow-up appointment with your plastic surgeon.
- Cold compresses can help reduce any initial bruising or swelling as well. Always use hot towels only when recommended by your doctor for sinus relief as too much heat may damage skin tissues of the nose area leading to further complications including infection.
- Try breathing through the mouth instead of using your nose, especially within the days following surgery. An internal splint or packing material may have been inserted inside to protect inner structures but also slows down normal airflow resulting in obstructed breathing which can become uncomfortable over time so make sure you keep the mouth closed at all times if necessary see your GP immediately who advises relevant interventions, medications & treatments accordingly.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Open Rhinoplasty
When considering open rhinoplasty, it's important to understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with this procedure in terms of aesthetics, surgical duration as well as post-operative recovery periods.
Scar visibility
One of the principal considerations for any rhinoplasty procedure is the potential visibility of scars. In closed (endonasal) rhinoplasty, incisions are placed inside nasal passages and therefore scarring is not externally visible following surgery.
However, if open rhinoplasty is required due to severe defects or structural anomalies, then the surgeon must make incisions at both sides and bridge of the nose which may be more noticeable after recovery.
Generally speaking; 98% of patients don't find their external rhinoplasty scar objectionable while 90% consider it invisible or barely visible following healing process when looking in front-view position but can be seen from side view closely standing 1 metre away from them as well as exception cases that have a prominent facial feature such as light skin type/colour plus shallow nasal bridge could promote excessive sweating leading to greater swelling post-surgery and cause clear signs of scarring with highly stretched alterations on treated areas' surfaces compared to none open technique adopted for most minor cases meanwhile consistent feeling among practitioners suggests that fading appearance becomes unobservable once wounds had sufficiently healed implicating definite advantage for applicable noses covering diffuse flat surface where single stitch wouldn’t result in noteworthy alteration moreover critical state shall no longer resulted by narrow featured subjects with less resilient tissue consistently showing various levels of prominence which turns out being coverable through additional measure values upon completion particularly redirected attention toward revitalising surrounding areas if those affected cannot allow embossment in consideration.
Skin colour considerations
During an open rhinoplasty, a small scar may be created; this generally heals in an almost imperceptible manner. However, it is important to consider potential differences in healing and scarring based on skin tone.
Patients with darker complexions may need to take specific precautions after the surgery. For example, they should use sun protection for a longer time than lighter-skinned individuals following their procedure as exposure to UV rays can cause hyperpigmentation of scars.
They should also talk to their surgeon about creams or substances that can help reduce the appearance of any visible appearance of incisions when healing has taken place across different skin tones.
Differences in recovery and results
Open rhinoplasty is a lengthier and more invasive procedure in comparison to closed rhinoplasty which may require additional incisions or the manipulation of cartilage, skin, bone, or other parts of the nose.
The primary difference between an open and closed rhinoplasty is the visibility and size of scars since an open procedure requires an incision across the columella at the base of the nose; these can be well concealed with time.
Open rhinoplasty has a longer recovery period due to swelling from increased access during surgery as well as possible bruising around the face due to the movement of tissues - both likely not seen with closed Rhinoplasties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Open Rhinoplasty
An important part of considering open rhinoplasty is having a clear understanding of the questions and potential answers surrounding the procedure. In this section, we will cover common queries regarding recovery time, differences from closed rhinoplasty procedures, and a comparison of reconstructive versus reductive options.
Recovery time
The amount of time it takes to successfully recover from open rhinoplasty depends largely on the individual and the extent of the procedure, but swelling after the surgery can take up to one year to fully subside.
Most people report that well-managed pain is not sufficient enough to require prescription medication, with some mild discomfort during recovery. Swelling and bruising should begin subsiding within a week following treatment, but may still be present for another three or four weeks after.
In most cases, the nose will have reached its final shape within six to twelve months afterwards; however small variations in skin texture and contours may remain even afterwards. To ensure proper healing and reduce potential risks it's important to rest before resuming normal activities; remember also that smoking significantly hinders wound healing so abstaining until completely healed is highly recommended.
Comparison to closed rhinoplasty
As you consider the recovery time associated with open rhinoplasty, it's also important to understand how it compares to the alternative, closed rhinoplasty. Both techniques aim to reshape the nose but differ in their approach and implications for the patient. Here is a concise comparison of the two:
Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice ultimately depends on the patient's specific needs and the surgeon's recommendation. Open rhinoplasty provides more direct visibility for the surgeon, whereas closed rhinoplasty offers the benefit of no visible external scarring.
Reconstructive vs. reductive rhinoplasty options
Reconstructive rhinoplasty is a form of plastic surgery that revolves around restoring the look and feel of the nose. It's often used to fix breathing issues resulting from deformities or injury, either externally or internally.
Reductive rhinoplasty, on the other hand, focuses more on reshaping certain aspects of the nose through reduction & augmentation techniques to create a new shape for aesthetic purposes.
The primary goal is always cosmetic – reducing widths/humps; creating curves & angles to improve symmetry; adjusting the size and length of nostrils, etc. Both types can offer dramatic transformations depending on what action needs to be taken but both require considerable skill from an experienced surgeon like Dr Frank Seely at his Sydney practice.
Conclusion
Open rhinoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for addressing cosmetic and functional issues of the nose. The open technique allows for access to the nasal bones and cartilage so that precise adjustments can be made, resulting in an improved outcome compared to closed rhinoplasty.
Moreover, open rhinoplasty carries the added benefit of minimal scarring due to the inverted V-shaped incision along the columella - healing up from this is almost imperceptible after surgery.
Patients can experience mild discomfort during recovery but this should subside as healing progresses over time. Open rhinoplasty offers a great way to improve both the form and function of one’s nose with natural look results in mind.
If you're interested in a rhinoplasty consultation contact Dr Mohagheghs Plastic Surgery based in Sydey.
