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Should I Get an Open or Closed Rhinoplasty?

by Dr Riccardo Frati

Rhinoplasty, also known as a ‘nose job,’ is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose for aesthetic and/or functional reasons. Dr Riccardo Frati is an internationally renowned cosmetic surgeon at Harley Plastic Surgery. As one of England’s premier cosmetic surgeons, he has trained under some of the world’s master surgeons. He has been featured as a guest speaker at major national and international conferences, demonstrating his abilities and leadership to the world.

To discover the cost of your rhinoplasty procedure with Dr Frati, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call our London office at +44 20 3633 2619 or our Manchester office at +44 16 1327 2139.

Contents

1 About Open and Closed Rhinoplasty
- 1.1 Open Rhinoplasty
- 1.2 Closed Rhinoplasty
2 Benefits
3 Suitable Candidates
- 3.1 Candidates for Open Rhinoplasty
- 3.2 Candidates for Closed Rhinoplasty
4 Personal Consultation
5 Preparation
6 Differences in Procedure
- 6.1 Open Rhinoplasty
- 6.2 Closed Rhinoplasty
7 Recovery
8 Results
9 Cost of an Open or Closed Rhinoplasty in London, England
10 FAQ
11 References

About Open and Closed Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that is designed to reshape and restructure the nose. The nose has many intricate structures, including bone, cartilage, and soft tissue, which all contribute to its shape and function. Rhinoplasty not only addresses external concerns but can correct functional abnormalities. Dr Frati can perform both open and closed rhinoplasty to help each patient achieve their goals.

Open Rhinoplasty

An open rhinoplasty is a technique that involves an incision on the columella, the small piece of flesh between the nostrils. This technique is often performed on patients interested in more detailed corrections and restructuring. The open rhinoplasty offers more visibility for Dr Frati, allowing him to easily see and access each underlying structure of the nose. This technique does leave minimal scarring, but the majority of patients consider scarring to be well-hidden and very subtle. ⁽¹⁾

Closed Rhinoplasty

A closed rhinoplasty is performed with all incisions placed on the inside of the patient’s nostrils, eliminating any external scarring. This technique can help Dr Frati make more subtle enhancements, or be used when only the bridge or dorsal hump are being addressed.

Benefits

Patients can enjoy several benefits of a rhinoplasty, which include:

Improved Facial Harmony: A balanced nasal profile can enhance the overall balance of each patient’s face, promoting a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Boosted Self-Confidence: By addressing perceived flaws and concerns, the results of a rhinoplasty can improve one’s self-esteem, leading to a greater sense of confidence in general.
Enhanced Functionality: Patients with breathing issues can improve their nasal function by creating a clearer pathway for airflow, improving their respiratory health.
Corrected Structural Anomalies: Rhinoplasty can correct congenital deformities or trauma caused by injury, resulting in a more proportionate and attractive appearance.
Customised Options: Each procedure is tailored to meet each patient’s specific needs and address their unique anatomy.
Long-Lasting Results: The results of rhinoplasty are permanent, making it a worthwhile investment for patients.

While all rhinoplasty procedures offer numerous advantages, open and closed rhinoplasties have their own advantages for patients. Some of the benefits of open rhinoplasty include:

More Visibility: Dr Frati can easily see and access the underlying nasal tissue, cartilage, and bone.
Greater Precision: The open technique allows for more precise corrections, reshaping, and rebuilding, especially during more complex procedures.
Tip Refinement: The nasal tip can be reshaped with more control and detail.
Long-Term Stability: Cartilage grafts and other structural supports can be placed more easily, offering more durable results.

The advantages associated with closed rhinoplasty include:

No Visible Scarring: All incisions made by Dr Frati are placed inside the nostrils, eliminating the chance of any visible scars.
Shorter Procedure Time: Closed rhinoplasties are often quicker to perform as there is less dissection and correction involved.
Faster Recovery: Patients often experience a faster recovery since there is less tissue alteration involved with closed procedures.
Preserving Nasal Structure: A closed rhinoplasty preserves the underlying structures of the nose, resulting in a more natural look and feel. ⁽²⁾

To learn more about how you may benefit from either an open or closed rhinoplasty, please contact us online.

Suitable Candidates

Suitable candidates for rhinoplasty are usually those who are dissatisfied with the size, shape, or symmetry of their nose and wish to correct it. Some candidates are also experiencing breathing difficulties or other functional issues.

Candidates for Open Rhinoplasty

An open rhinoplasty is best for patients who:

Are undergoing a revision rhinoplasty treatment.
Have complex and/or more extensive corrections to address.
Require reconstructive work or structural adjustments.

Candidates for Closed Rhinoplasty

Suitable candidates for closed rhinoplasty include those who:

Only want or require subtle to moderate adjustments.
Primarily want to address their dorsal hump or nasal bridge.
Do not require any nasal restructuring.

Dr Frati will determine each patient’s candidacy for both open and closed rhinoplasty during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Each patient is asked to attend a personal consultation with Dr Frati before scheduling their rhinoplasty. This consultation is designed to allow Dr Frati to get to know each patient more personally and also to recommend the best techniques for each patient. He will first ask a series of questions regarding each patient’s medical history, current medications, concerns, and desired results before evaluating the condition and anatomy of the patient’s nose. This information will then be used to craft each patient’s treatment plan, with either the open or closed technique to help them achieve their goals.

To schedule a personal consultation at either of our offices with Dr Frati, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call our London office at +44 20 3633 2619 or our Manchester office at +44 16 1327 2139.

Preparation

Dr Frati will provide each patient with a set of personalised pre-operative instructions to help them prepare for their procedure. Instructions may vary between patients, but each instruction should be followed to ensure a smooth recovery and an ideal outcome.

Patients will need to discontinue using medications and herbal supplements that contain blood-thinning properties. Patients should also avoid consuming alcohol several days before and after the procedure. They will also stop smoking temporarily for optimal results.

Patients will need to arrange for transportation to and from their procedure and arrange for time off work. We also recommend that you arrange for a trusted friend or family member to care for you for the first 24-48 hours of recovery.

Differences in Procedure

On the day of their procedure, each patient should arrive at our office with a clean face, free from fragrances, makeup, or skincare products. At the start of your procedure, we will cleanse your skin and administer anaesthesia for a comfortable experience.

Open Rhinoplasty

An open rhinoplasty requires an incision across the columella. When performing an open rhinoplasty, Dr Frati has full visibility of the underlying nasal cartilage and bone, allowing him to restructure or reshape the nose more accurately and precisely. This makes the open technique more suitable for patients with more complex corrections or those receiving revision rhinoplasties.

Closed Rhinoplasty

A closed rhinoplasty places incisions inside the nostrils, eliminating any external scarring after healing. A closed rhinoplasty technique is more difficult to perform when more detailed reshaping is needed, as visibility is limited. Dr Frati often performs this technique for more subtle enhancements or when only the dorsal hump is being addressed.

After Dr Frati makes an incision, he will reshape the nasal cartilage and bone using various techniques. He may remove excess tissue, place cartilage grafts, or reposition the underlying bones. Cartilage grafting is used to help reinforce and reshape the structure of the nose, with grafts often being taken from the ribs or the outer ear. ⁽²⁾

Dr Frati can also address functional issues while performing a rhinoplasty, with many patients often choosing to fix issues such as deviated septums or other congenital anomalies. Dr Frati can make the appropriate adjustments before redraping the skin and closing the incisions. The duration of each rhinoplasty can vary, but patients can expect their procedure to last between 1-3 hours.

Recovery

Following their procedure, each patient will be released home to continue recovering. Dr Frati will give each patient a set of post-operative instructions to help them recover effectively and care for their nose while healing.

It is common for patients to experience swelling, bruising, or general tenderness around the treated area, but these effects will gradually subside on their own. Patients recovering from an open rhinoplasty may experience more swelling during their recovery, especially in their nasal tip, and it may take longer to dissipate. Patients who underwent a closed rhinoplasty often experience a slightly faster recovery with less swelling in general. Patients who received either technique may manage any discomfort using pain medications under the guidance of Dr Frati.

Dr Frati may ask each patient to wear a nasal splint to help protect and maintain their new nasal profile. He will remove this splint during a follow-up appointment once the nose has progressed in its healing.

Results

Patients often notice the full results of their rhinoplasty after the swelling subsides. This may take longer for patients who received the open technique, but this does not diminish the quality of their results. Patients can enjoy a more symmetrical, sculpted nose, as well as improvements to their breathing and overall nasal function. The results of both open and closed rhinoplasty are permanent, allowing each patient to enjoy their enhanced aesthetics for years to come.

Cost of an Open or Closed Rhinoplasty in London, England

The cost of each rhinoplasty can vary, as each procedure is tailored to address each patient’s concerns and unique anatomy. Facility fees, anaesthesia, the extent of corrections, and the surgical strategies employed can all influence the final cost, making it difficult for our team to provide an early estimate. We will provide a quote during the consultation.

To get started, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call our London office at +44 20 3633 2619 or our Manchester office at +44 16 1327 2139.

FAQ

What is the difference between an open and a closed rhinoplasty?

An open rhinoplasty is performed when an incision is made on the skin between the nostrils. A closed rhinoplasty consists of the incision being placed inside the nostrils, avoiding any external scarring.

How long will my rhinoplasty procedure take?

Each patient’s procedure typically lasts between 1-3 hours, but this may vary depending on the details of your treatment plan.

Will there be any scarring after my rhinoplasty?

Patients receiving a closed rhinoplasty will not experience any external or visible scarring. Those interested in an open rhinoplasty will experience minor scarring between their nostrils, but scarring often fades until barely noticeable.

When can I return to work after my rhinoplasty?

Many patients can return to work within 1-2 weeks, depending on the nature of their careers. However, physical or high-intensity activities should be avoided until approved by Dr Frati.

Can I combine either my open or closed rhinoplasty with another procedure?

Yes, each patient is welcome to complement the effects of their rhinoplasty with another treatment. For more information, we ask that patients either discuss this idea during their consultation or call one of our offices to speak to a member of our team.