A rhinoplasty (nose job) is unique in that it is one of the few surgical procedures that can be performed for cosmetic purposes to improve the aesthetic appearance of the features, or for functional purposes to correct the shape and size of the nose due to injury or deformity. Examples of such functional purposes would include resetting a broken nose or reshaping the nasal and sinus cavities to address breathing problems or recurrent sinus infections. The type of rhinoplasty procedure that Dr. Paul Pin will use may depend on whether the procedure is for aesthetic or functional purposes. Listed below are some of the common techniques used to perform a rhinoplasty.

Closed Rhinoplasty

There are no external incisions made in a closed (endonasal) rhinoplasty procedure. Instead, all of the necessary incisions are placed on the inside of the nostrils in a parallel pattern that encircles approximately half of the nostril lining. There is no connecting incision made between the right and left nostril.

Advantages: The biggest advantage to a closed rhinoplasty procedure is the lack of any external incision scars. This procedure is also ideal for patients who only require a minimal amount of work on the nose. There may also be a shorter healing time than with open rhinoplasty, with less chance of swelling at the nasal tip.

Disadvantages: The main disadvantage of a closed rhinoplasty is that it can be more difficult for the surgeon to see the underlying anayomy. The refinements to the nose will be done in a very tight space, mainly relying on endoscopic cameras. Furthermore, there may be stretching of the nasal skin and distortion of the cartilage as a result. However, when performed by a skilled surgeon such as Dr. Pin, these risks are less likely.

Open Rhinoplasty

In an open (external) rhinoplasty, a small incision is made on the underside of the nose between the two nostrils. This allows Dr. Pin to simply lift and peel back the nasal skin, giving him direct access to the nasal and sinus passages.

Advantages: The open rhinoplasty allows for a greater amount of work to reshape the nasal structures, which are directly opened up. This can be particularly important in cases where Dr. Pin may have to break some of the nasal bones in order to reset them into better position. There is also less nasal skin stretching or chance of cartilage distortion with an open rhinoplasty than with a closed one.

Disadvantages: The main disadvantage of an open rhinoplasty is that the external scars may be visible. However, the main scar on the underside of the nose will not be very visible to the casual observer and can easily be hidden with makeup. The other disadvantage is that the healing time with an open rhinoplasty will be longer than with a closed rhinoplasty (an average of 10 to 14 days, compared to an average of five to seven days).

The type of rhinoplasty procedure that Dr. Pin will perform depends heavily on the patient's goals, the reason for the procedure, and the amount of work that needs to be done. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages. Dr. Pin welcomes patients to collaborate with him on finding the best technique depending on all of these factors. Contact our practice today to schedule a consultation.