When preparing for plastic surgery, patients ask themselves the question: 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 sought after. The choice of the method of operation for a particular patient is determined individually and depends on many factors, such as:
- the nature of the nasal defects. If a large amount of intervention is planned or if the correction requires the installation of implants, excision of the nasal bones, it is better to use open rhinoplasty, which includes greater visualization of the surgical field and visibility of even small structural elements.
- qualification surgeon. Closed access is not for every specialist. The surgeon requires extensive experience in performing rhinoplasty, impeccable knowledge of anatomical internal structures.
- characteristics of the previous operation. Re-operation is usually performed with the technique of open rhinoplasty, as it is extremely important for the doctor to see all the nuances of the previous intervention.
During the consultation in the clinic, the specialists take into account your wishes regarding the operation, but 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 for open rhinoplasty
Indications for open rhinoplasty
The indications for open rhinoplasty are the same as for any rhinoplasty:
- high, wide, flat back of the nose;
- asymmetry;
- declines and inequalities;
- rounded, lowered or too raised tip of the nose.
Contraindications for open rhinoplasty
- age up to 18 years (the process of tissue formation is not yet complete);
- inflammatory ENT diseases;
- herpes in the active phase;
- decompensated diabetes mellitus;
- coagulation 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 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). A small final incision is then made from the columella to the inside of each nostril.
In open rhinoplasty, the surgeon carefully cuts the skin in the area of the columella with special surgical scissors, separating it from the cartilaginous frame 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 cartilage and bone areas and give them the necessary shape. During open rhinoplasty, the doctor can remove and move parts of cartilage, bone, install special nasal implants and more.
At the end of the open rhinoplasty, the surgeon applies a thin suture to the incision area: delicate work with the incision allows you to get an invisible 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 in 10-11 days).
Thus, the only and temporarily visible part of the incision in open rhinoplasty is the columella area. The incision lightens and after a few months becomes invisible.
Rehabilitation after open rhinoplasty
The first 1-2 days after open rhinoplasty you will be in the hospital of the clinic.
You can evaluate the primary result of open rhinoplasty after removal of the cast, but the nose will still look swollen. The picture will become clearer by 1, 5 months after surgery. You should give up sports at least two months after rhinoplasty. Contact sports (boxing, wrestling) can begin no earlier than 6 months: the nose after open rhinoplasty requires careful treatment and complete exclusion of even minimal injuries.
For two months after open rhinoplasty you should forget about the sauna, steam bath and wearing glasses.