Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty

Posted in Procedures, Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures in the country and employs a variety of techniques to enhance facial harmony. If you’re considering rhinoplasty to help balance your facial features and increase symmetry, you may be wondering about the difference between open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty — the two main approaches to cosmetic nose surgery. While the open and closed techniques are distinctive in many ways, chief differences between the two procedures include: 

• Incision placement: Open and closed rhinoplasty are primarily distinguished by the location of the incisions placed. Closed rhinoplasty utilizes internal incisions; therefore, they’re hidden from outside observers and offer the benefit of no external scarring. During open rhinoplasty, the incision is typically concealed on the undersurface of the nose — where the base of the nostrils meets the upper lip. 
• Enhancements possible: Open rhinoplasty generally provides a greater degree of visibility and surgical control when compared to the closed technique. For this reason, only certain improvements to the nasal framework are possible with closed rhinoplasty, and this approach may not be successful for all patients.  

Once Dr. David Durst listens to your concerns and gains a sense of your needs, he will be able to suggest the best approach to nose surgery for your aesthetic goals. Both open and closed rhinoplasty can achieve a more symmetrical and proportional nose while ensuring results look natural and elegant. 

For more information about rhinoplasty and the cosmetic procedures that can help you address your aesthetic concerns, please contact Dr. Durst today for a consultation.