Rhinoplasty

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed on people who are not satisfied with the appearance of their noses. Rhinoplasty is an operation that is applied mostly for aesthetic concerns and corrects congenital or subsequent deformities in the external structure of the nose. During rhinoplasty surgery, functional problems in the internal structure can also be intervened when necessary, allowing the patient to breathe more easily and healthily. In such cases, it is possible to eliminate both problems with a single operation since the underlying cause of respiratory distress and external deformities is the same.

What Are the Techniques Used in Rhinoplasty Surgeries?

Two basic techniques called open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty are used in rhinoplasty operations. The difference between the two techniques is where the surgical incision is made. In the open rhinoplasty, the surgical incision is made at the tip of the nose and the nasal skin is completely removed with the help of this incision. In the closed rhinoplasty, the incision is made inside the nose. Both methods have their own pros and cons.

Open Rhinoplasty Technique

The open rhinoplasty technique is mostly preferred in patients with large and prominent deformities at the tip of the nose, or in patients who need a major intervention in the nasal septum, and revision rhinoplasty operations. The most important advantage of this approach is that it gives the surgeon a wider field of view. Open rhinoplasty is preferred more than closed rhinoplasty.

In the open rhinoplasty technique, a small incision is made under the two nostrils. With the help of this incision, after the entire nose skin is removed, the cartilage and bones forming the nose tip and nasal ridge are intervened and deformities are corrected. At the end of the surgery, after the nasal skin is sutured with a small suture, a splint is placed on the nose and a silicone nasal packing is placed inside.

The disadvantage of the open rhinoplasty technique is the scarring after the operation. However, this scar becomes indistinct and completely obscure after an average of 2 months after the operation.

Closed Rhinoplasty Technique

Only an internal incision is made in the area to be intervened in the closed rhinoplasty technique.

Since the incision is made between the nostrils and the nasal skin is not removed, both the duration of the operation is shortened and swelling and edema are less common after the operation. This ensures that the healing process is shorter than in open rhinoplasty.

The disadvantage of closed rhinoplasty is that it is not suitable for everyone. This technique is suitable for patients who do not have a significant defect at the tip of the nose, who have not had rhinoplasty before, and who do not have a serious curvature in the septum region. The closed technique can be operated successfully only in patients who need to intervene in the protrusion on the nasal ridge known as the nasal arch.

After Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty operations take an average of 2-3 hours, although it varies from patient to patient. Patients are discharged on the same day or the next day unless there is a serious complication after the operation. Rhinoplasty surgery is not as painful as it is thought. Since silicone nasal packings are used instead of large plastic or cloth nasal packings as before, the postoperative period is also comfortable for many patients. These nasal packings, splints, and plasters are removed within 1 week after the operation. Since silicone nasal packing does not stick to the nose, they do not cause any pain when taken.

Bruises and swelling disappear within 2 weeks at the latest after rhinoplasty operation. Patients considering rhinoplasty surgery, which can be easily applied at any time of the year, should choose a time where they can take at least 10 days off from work or school and spend this time resting at home. Most patients return to their social lives from the 10th-12th day.