When preparing for plastic surgery, patients ask themselves the question: which is better: open or closed rhinoplasty? In reality, there is no exact answer to this question. There is, of course, a fundamental difference between the two methods, but both are equally in demand. The choice of the surgical method for a particular patient is determined individually and depends on many factors, such as:
- nature of nasal defects. If a large amount of intervention is planned, or if the correction requires the installation of implants, sawing the bones of the nose, it is better to resort to open rhinoplasty, which involves greater visualization of the surgical field and the visibility of even small structures elements.
- qualification as a surgeon. Closed access is not for all specialists. The surgeon requires extensive experience in performing rhinoplasty, an impeccable knowledge of internal anatomical structures.
- characteristics of the previous operation. Reoperation is usually performed using the open rhinoplasty technique, as it is extremely important that the doctor sees all the nuances of the previous surgery.
At the consultation in the clinic, the specialists take into account your wishes regarding the operation, however, the final decision whether to perform open or closed rhinoplasty is made by the doctor, based on the individual characteristics and indications of the patient.
Indications and contraindications to open rhinoplasty
Indications for open rhinoplasty
The indications for open rhinoplasty are the same as for any rhinoplasty:
- back of the nose high, wide and flat;
- asymmetry;
- dips and irregularities;
- tip of nose rounded, drooped or too high.
Contraindications to open rhinoplasty
- age up to 18 years (the process of tissue formation is not yet finished);
- ENT inflammatory diseases;
- herpes in the active phase;
- decompensated diabetes mellitus;
- blood clotting disorder;
- Menses.
Open rhinoplasty procedure
Open rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Previously, the patient must pass the tests prescribed by the surgeon.
Open rhinoplasty provides a complete visualization of the surgical process: the surgeon has the opportunity to examine in detail all the 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 inside each nostril.
In open rhinoplasty, the surgeon carefully cuts the skin in the columella area with special surgical scissors, separating it from the cartilage structure of the nose. Now the doctor has the opportunity to examine in detail all the anatomical components, assess the state of the structures of the cartilage and bone sections and give them the necessary shape. During an open rhinoplasty operation, the doctor can remove and move parts of cartilage, bone, install special nasal implants, etc.
At the end of the open rhinoplasty, the surgeon applies a thin suture material in the incision area: a delicate work with the incision allows to obtain an imperceptible scar. Turundas are installed in the nasal passages (they are removed the next day), a hard plaster bandage is applied (the doctor will remove it for 10-11 days).
Therefore, the only and temporarily visible part of the incision in open rhinoplasty is the columella area. The engraving lights up and becomes invisible in a few months.
Rehabilitation after open rhinoplasty
The first 1-2 days after open rhinoplasty you will be in the clinic hospital.
It is possible to evaluate the main result of open rhinoplasty after removing the plaster cast, but the nose will still appear swollen. The picture will be clearer within 1. 5 months of the surgery. At least two months after open rhinoplasty, you have to give up sports. 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.
For a period of two months after open rhinoplasty, you should forget about the sauna, steam room and glasses.