Rhinoplasty - Incisions and Scars

from plastic surgery

Your surgeon has two main options for rhinoplasty incisions: closed and open. Your plastic surgeon will likely recommend the technique he or she feels will yield the optimal results in your case.

Closed Rhinoplasty

In a closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are made inside the nose, so there are no visible scars. The surgeon has a limited view of the cartilage and bone. Yet many plastic surgeons are comfortable with this technique and achieve excellent results.

Open Rhinoplasty

In open rhinoplasty, the nose skin is lifted, allowing the surgeon a better view of the cartilage and bone. The surgeon makes a small incision on the underside of the nasal tip, between the two nostrils. Additional incisions are also made inside the nose. Some surgeons prefer this approach because it allows them greater visibility of some portions of the nose.

Two disadvantages of open rhinoplasty are (1) a scar between the nostrils and (2) significant postoperative swelling. Although scars are permanent, they are often imperceptible once they heal, but not always. Swelling following an open rhinoplasty lasts months or years longer than after a closed rhinoplasty. With diligent use of ice and elevation, some are able to minimize the duration and degree of swelling.