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Open Vs Closed Rhinoplasty to Fix Nose Hump?

asked 2 years ago by lovexlinda in San Diego, CA
Latest answer by Jaime Perez MD
Question viewed 2,643 times
Tags: age 17 or under, nose, female, closed, healing, hump, open

I'm 17 years old and my nose has been bothering me forever. I am considering Rhinoplasty and based on what I have studied and read, open surgery will take MUCH longer to heal than closed surgery.

I just want to get the big hump removed and get the "bird beak" turned into a normal, straight nose. That's all and I don't think I want the front changed at all. Will an open surgery be needed for this and will my dream nose take a lot of drastic work to achieve? I prefer the truth. Thanks for the help. : )

25 answers to Open Vs Closed Rhinoplasty to Fix Nose Hump?

Open vs Closed is less important than having the right surgeon

Dear Lovexlinda, I know that there is a lot of confusion between open and closed for people, but it is far more important to find the right surgeon whospecializes in rhinoplasty and is able to understand exactly what you want and is accomplished at achieving that. While some surgeons who do closed rhinoplasty believe that open causes more swelling, I can assure you that there are plenty of open rhinoplasty surgeons who will tell you that they see countless patients who have closed procedures... more

Peyman Solieman, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Endonasal or external approach to the nose

Experienced rhinoplasty surgeons don't use the terms 'open' or 'closed'--both approaches involve incisions (endonasal may in fact be more destructive in some cases). In my experience, the external approach does not take much longer (if at all) in terms of recovery in this type of situation, and offers the advantage of superior results. However, the technique used will depend on your discussion with your surgeon and his/her experience with each technique. Importantly, review results from... more

Sam Most, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drmost.com

Closed rhinoplasty and healing

A simple hump reduction can be treated with a closed rhinoplasty approach. The difference in healing between open versus closed rhinoplasty is not significant. The healing time in rhinoplasty has more to do with the extent of surgical changes that are done to your nose then the approach which is used to make those changes. It appears from your photos that you do in fact have a hump on your nasal dorsum, however, it also appears that you may have some issues with a droopy tip and... more

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD
Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgeon

Open vs. Closed Nose Job

In my practice in Tampa, Florida, I see little difference in recovery time between an open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty. The recovery time following a nose job is dependent on the amount of surgical dissection, cartilage repositioning, and bony work required, not necessarily on whether or not the nose was "opened." I agree with previous posts in that in addition to a dorsal hump reduction, you may also benefit from nasal tip rotation and increased projection. Many nose job... more

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.jaimeperezmd.com

Open vs Closed Rhinoplasty for Hump Reduction

My first impression was that a closed rhinoplasty would work fine. However, it looks like you may have poor tip support and require a columellar strut or tip graft. This is best done with an open approach.

Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Open Rhinoplasty vs. Closed Rhinoplasty for Reduction of Nasal Bridge

O.K. - I think it's safe to say that you can get a good result with either an open or closed approach. You just need to interview a few nasal surgeons and find one whom you like and who appears to understand your concerns and can lay out a good surgical plan. If the best doctor happens to be someone who favors an external approach I wouldn't let it necessarily stop you from proceeding. I've used both approaches for several decades and the final result should be the same... more

Jon F. Harrell, DO
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.westonsurgery.com

Open vs Closed Rhinoplasty

Pick the surgeon, not the technique. You are 17 years old - your most important consideration is picking a surgeon who will provide a good result which you'll enjoy the rest of your life. An extra week or two of post-operative swelling is not an important consideration. Select an experienced surgeon whose results you like.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty

In selecting a surgeon to perform your rhinoplasty, you should consider one with whom you feel the most confident in achieving the results that you desire. Leave the actual technique to this surgeon. Some rhinoplasty surgeons feel more comfortable and achieve better results performing an open rhinoplasty while some surgeons achieve better results with a closed rhinoplasty. With the open rhinoplasty approach, the procedure tends to take a little longer, there is a little more bruising (and... more

Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD
Freehold Facial Plastic Surgeon

Closed rhinoplasty for bridge reduction only and open rhinoplasty if tip work is desired

If your surgeon thinks that you only need reduction of the hump on the bridge of your nose, then a closed rhinoplasty will probably suffice. I find that most patients also benefit from adjustment of the tip such as refining the tip, decreasing tip projection (how far the tip projects from the face), and often times elevating the tip. Tip work is generally more accurate with an open rhinoplasty. There will be slightly more swelling, but this is usually fairly subtle, and your nose will look... more

Michael D. Yates, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

Open or closed rhinoplasty (nose job)

These are excellent photos. Thanks!. Given the appearance of your nose, it is my impression that you could undergo satisfactory treatment through a closed approach. Many surgeons, especially younger ones, have been taught the open approach and are more familar with this technique. Therefore, you most likely have heard more about this technique. Seek consultations with a surgeon comfortable with the closed technique.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Healing time about equal for open or closed rhinoplasty

Open rhinoplasty has become more popular due to its accuracy of the long term result. There recovery time is more dependant upon what is done below, rather than the approach: open or closed.

Barry E. DiBernardo, MD
Montclair Plastic Surgeon

Nasal hump reduction

An open versus a closed approach refers to the access used to perform the rhinoplasty. Most rhinoplasties can be performed via a closed approach. You are correct in that tip swelling takes longer to resolve with an open versus a closed approach. For something like a hump reduction, my preference is a closed approach since I reserve open approaches for revision rhinoplasties, significant tip alterations or grafting neither of which you would seem to need. I hope this information helps.... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Closed versus Open Approach to Rhinoplasty

Hi Lovexlinda, It appears that a closed approach can be used in your rhinoplasty to achieve your desired results. More important than the approach (open versus closed) you should be concerned about the skill and results of the rhinoplasty surgeon that you choose. Take your time and carefully choose your surgeon. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Open vs. closed

It depends on the surgeon rather than the technique to achive the best result. There is nothing wrong with either procedure and some doctors state that thir result is because of the technique and not their surgical skills. Please get more than one consultation and let your doctor offer their opinion on the technique before you say anything about close or open. I myself do both but the results from open rhinoplsty are more predictable..

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

See a plastic surgeon for your dream nose

You need to be seen and examined. Open or closed depends usually on the experience of the surgeon. I am an older experienced surgeon who does 95% of his rhinoplasties via a closed approach.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

In primary rhinoplasty most changes can be done just as well through a closed approach

Especially if the main goal is to reduce a large hump. Most alterations on the nose, including rotating a drooping nasal tip, narrowing a wide nasal tip and even getting a mildly crooked nose straighter can be performed with equal accuracy through an endonasal or closed approach. I have specific reasons why I might choose to use an open approach for a primary rhinoplasty, which comprises about 10% of my cases. However, many superb rhinoplasty surgeons do all their cases through an open... more

Steven J. Pearlman, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Closed versus Open Rhinoplasty

Patients can get excellent results with both Open and Closed Rhinoplasty. The disadvantage of Open Rhinoplasty is a scar along the columella. Closed Rhinoplasty is a more difficult operation, and requires more experience -- but I believe leads to an equally good result without an external scar. Ask your Plastic Surgeon which method HE/SHE feels is best in thier hands and proceed forward.

Richard Greco, MD
Savannah Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty technique

The most important thing with your nose is to get the shape change that you desire. Make sure you are communicating with your surgeon well. The open or closed technique is not significant if you get the look and change that you want. The recovery is dependant on the manipulation of the bone and cartilage structures, not on the small incision across the columella. Best Wishes Dr. Peterson

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Dorsum straightening can be done closed

Working on the dorsum alone will give you a much better shape to your nose. This can be done through a closed approach with incisions only inside the nostrils. If you are not interested in anything with the tip then this is the approach I would take. When tip work is involved I prefer to do the procedure open to have better control of the final tip shape. In either cases the recovery is not bad at all. With the open technique it does take a bit longer for the swelling of the tip to go down... more

Robert B. Pollack, MD
La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

Open vs Closed Rhinoplasty to fix nose hump

This is a question to the surgeon you have chosen. I do both techniques but I have specific citeria on why I personally use each technique. Regards.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Open versus closed rhinoplasty

You could have either an open or closed rhinoplasty; every surgeon has or his or her own preference. I personally would opt for an open approach to address your tip in addition to the hump. Open rhinoplasty does not require significantly longer time for healing, but your tip may be swollen for a bit longer than with a closed approach. Every patient is different, so it's hard to give you an exact time frame. With either approach, you can expect to have some minor swelling for up to a year... more

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Closed Approach Can Reduce Nasal Hump

You can easily have the nasal hump reduced and the tip turned upwards with a closed approach. The approach usually is a preference of the surgeon. Many surgeons are not trained to do a closed approach and will prefer to use open approach. The healing time is definitely greater with open approach. However at the end of the day it is more important to have a good surgeon than to have the closed approach. Regards

Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Downtime after Open Rhinoplasty Surgery is less than 2 weeks.

You appear to have a long nose, with a droopy tip, as well as a profile hump. I don't think you'd get the best possible aesthetic result with only hump reduction. You might consider tip deprojection and rotation, along with nasal shortening, and hump removal. Nearly all patients requesting Rhinoplasty Surgery benefit from tip modification that is routinely performed at the time of surgery. My preference is the open approach for Rhinoplasty; in my experience it leads to predictable results,... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Closed Rhinoplasty

Hi Lovexlinda, Your goals for your nose can be all accomplished via the closed rhinoplasty technique, and it will not take a lot of drastic work. You have an attractive face and you want your nose to fit your face. Open approach is not necessary.

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Open versus Closed Rhinoplasty

Based on your pictures, it looks like closed rhinoplasty will work well for you. However, it is hard to tell without personally examining you. However, both open and closed rhinoplasty are appropriate procedures. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

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