When preparing for plastic surgery, patients ask themselves: which is better - open or closed rhinoplasty? In fact, there is no exact answer to this question. Of course, there is a fundamental difference between the two methods, but both are equally in demand. The choice of surgical method for a particular patient is determined individually and depends on many factors, such as:
- nature of nasal defects. If a major intervention is planned, or if the correction requires the installation of implants or sawing of the nasal bones, it is better to use open rhinoplasty, which involves better visualization of the surgical field and visibility of even small structures elements.
- Surgical qualification. Closed access is not every specialist. The surgeon needs extensive experience in performing rhinoplasty, impeccable knowledge of the anatomical internal structures.
- Features of the previous operation. Reoperation is usually performed using the technique of open rhinoplasty, since it is extremely important for the doctor to see all the nuances of the previous intervention.
During the consultation in the clinic, specialists take into account your wishes regarding the operation, but the final decision on whether to perform open or closed rhinoplasty is made by the doctor, based on the patient's individual characteristics and indications.
Indications and contraindications for open rhinoplasty
Indications for open rhinoplasty
The indications for open rhinoplasty are the same as for any rhinoplasty:
- high, broad, flat bridge of the nose;
- Asymmetry;
- burglaries and irregularities;
- rounded, dropped or too high tip of the nose.
Contraindications for open rhinoplasty
- Age up to 18 years (the process of tissue formation is still ongoing);
- inflammatory ENT diseases;
- herpes in the active phase;
- decompensated diabetes mellitus;
- blood clotting disorder;
- Menstruation.
Open rhinoplasty procedure
Open rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Before that, the patient must pass the tests prescribed by the surgeon.
Open rhinoplasty offers a complete visualization of the course of the operation: the surgeon has the opportunity to examine in detail all structures of the nose. During the correction, the surgeon makes an incision at the base of the columella (the area of skin between the nostrils). Next, a small marginal incision is made from the columella to the inside of each nostril.
In open rhinoplasty, the surgeon uses special surgical scissors to carefully cut into the skin in the area of the columella and separate it from the cartilage of the nose. Now the doctor has the opportunity to examine in detail all the anatomical components, assess the condition of the structures of the cartilaginous and bone sections and give them the necessary shape. With an open rhinoplasty, the doctor can remove and move parts of cartilage and bone, insert special nasal implants, etc.
At the end of open rhinoplasty, the surgeon attaches a thin suture to the incision: finely working with the incision, you can get an imperceptible scar. Turundas are installed in the nasal passages (they are removed the next day), a hard plaster cast is applied (the doctor will remove it for 10-11 days).
Thus, the only and temporarily visible part of the incision in open rhinoplasty is the columellar zone. The incision will lighten and become invisible after a few months.
Rehabilitation after open rhinoplasty
The first 1-2 days after the open rhinoplasty you will be in the hospital of the clinic.
You can assess the primary outcome of open rhinoplasty after the plaster cast is removed, but the nose will still look swollen. The picture will be clearer 1. 5 months after the operation. You must stop exercising no later than two months after an open nose job. Contact sports (boxing, wrestling) can be started no earlier than 6 months: the nose after open rhinoplasty requires careful treatment and the complete exclusion of even minimal injuries.
After the open rhinoplasty, you should refrain from sauna, steam bath and wearing glasses for two months.