Rhinoplasty is used to alter the shape of the nose. The goal might be to introduce external changes, improve nasal breathing or both. We can change the size, shape and proportions of the nose. When planning the operation, the features and consistency of the rest of the face must also be taken into consideration. In the case of successful rhinoplasty, the nose will fit in seamlessly with the rest of the face.
Often, the aesthetic purpose of the surgery is to remove a bump, change the shape of the tip of the nose or correct the curvature. Improving the external shape of the nose can be combined with improving nasal breathing. This is, in fact, even preferable.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most technically complex plastic surgeries. A number of techniques are used. I will now present a brief overview of surgical techniques.
Rhinoplasty methods
Open rhinoplasty
Used for more complex deformities where the plastic surgeon needs full access to both the nasal tip and the structures of the nasal ridge. The open method is distinguished from the closed method by an incision in the columella – the narrowest area between the nostrils. This is often the only incision made in rhinoplasty. Usually, after healing, the scar in the area is barely noticeable. The open method has the advantage of being very accurate, as surgeons have the best possible visibility and access to the nasal structures.
Closed rhinoplasty
In this method, as a rule, no external incisions are made in the nose, and access to the cartilaginous and bony structures of the nose necessary to reshape the entire nose is achieved through incisions made in the nostrils. The advantage of this technique is the absence of an external scar, but there is a slightly higher risk of undesirable deformities and asymmetries due to the surgeon’s reduced visibility and access to nasal structures.
Excisional rhinoplasty
Surgical techniques that involve removing tissue from the nose to achieve the desired result. For example, the removal of tip cartilage. This results in scarring, which leads to subsequent deformation. These techniques are related to many well-known rhinoplasty complications, such as the pinched nose. For this reason, excisional rhinoplasty is no longer prevalent.
Structural rhinoplasty
While excisional rhinoplasty tries to change the shape of the nose by removing the excess, structural rhinoplasty has the opposite philosophy: the shape of the nose can be improved by strengthening nasal cartilage in the right areas. For example, by strengthening the nasal cartilage in the right area, it is possible to correct an excessively rounded tip, a crooked or sunken nasal ridge, nasal wings that collapse when breathing and many other nasal deformities.
Preservation rhinoplasty
Preservation rhinoplasty is a subcategory of rhinoplasty that has gained popularity in recent years. It has the advantage of reducing the risk of certain complications and having a faster recovery time. It can be performed using the open or closed method and involves three stages:
- Maximum sparing of the soft tissues of the nose using only the least traumatic tissue layers for making incisions.
- Preservation of the connective ligaments of the tip, ensuring faster recovery, better tip positioning and a better final result.
- Maintaining the natural smoothness of the nasal ridge. Preservation rhinoplasty techniques can be used to alter the shape of the nasal ridge without damage to the cartilage and the external surface of the bone. This reduces the likelihood of unevenness.
This is just a brief and general summary of the more common rhinoplasty techniques. There are many variations, thousands of pages of literature, numerous conferences and training courses. Surgical methods are constantly evolving and changing.
Each nose is unique and the surgical technique is therefore often individual and may include elements of several of the surgical techniques described.
We will draw up an individualised surgical plan for you during the appointment and subsequent photo analysis.