Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that is primarily used to aesthetically enhance the shape and/or size of the patient’s nose. Colloquially known as a nose job, the surgery reshapes nasal features by reconstructing the proportions of the nose. Rhinoplasty is also often used to fix any inherent genetic or structural flaws in the nose, correcting functional issues.

There are two main rhinoplasty techniques: closed and open. Closed rhinoplasty is one of the most common and popular forms of rhinoplasty.

Basics of Closed Rhinoplasty

Closed rhinoplasty, also known as endonasal rhinoplasty, is the nasal surgery technique where the incisions performed to reshape the nose are inside the nostrils. This procedure does not involve any visible external incisions on the patient’s nose.

Endonasal rhinoplasty does not involve any incisions in the columella (the strip of skin between the nostrils), and is the main way in which it differs from open rhinoplasty. Open rhinoplasty involves making tiny incisions in the columella and then lifting the nasal skin to expose the underlying architecture of the nose.

Because the operating surgeon does not cut the columella, closed rhinoplasty has quicker recovery times and leaves behind no external post-surgical marks.

Closed rhinoplasty is normally preferable for patients who do not require significant work to be done on their nose. For simple goals such as improving the definition of the nasal tip or removing a small lump, closed rhinoplasty is the best technique.

Benefits of Closed Rhinoplasty

One the main advantages of closed rhinoplasty is the decreased operational time of the procedure, as no external incisions are made. The approach also has a far lower requirement for surgical dissection of the nasal tissues.

This procedure does not call for excessive depletion of the nasal-tip support. The surgeon performing the surgery will be able to improve the quality of the nasal tip without completely splitting the nose open and will have the chance to make challenging modifications in-situ, in the exact areas where the changes are required.

The method is especially appealing to older patients as it theoretically decreases the potential for morbidity, and this is also applicable to younger patients, albeit at a lower scale. The operating surgeon will be able to feel the internal modifications made to the nose via tactile palpation, making it easier to gauge the progress.

Patients who undergo this technique generally have faster recovery times and are far more likely to regain their normal appearance quickly. The method decreases the potential of post-operative edema, which basically means that there is usually a lower degree of swelling associated with closed rhinoplasty.

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Closed rhinoplasty is one of the most effective techniques for fixing structural defects or improving the symmetry of the nose. Understand and discuss with your surgeon what kind of changes you specifically want to make to your nose before opting for the technique of a closed rhinoplasty.

At the American Institute for Plastic Surgery, we believe in providing patients with the best experience possible. To arrange a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, contact our office today!