Revision Rhinoplasty Q&A

69%

WORTH IT RATING

136 Reviews

Ask a Question

Revision Rhinoplastybefore & after photos

View Before and Afters

Average Revision Rhinoplasty Cost: $6,450

Learn about Revision Rhinoplasty

881 people and 334 doctors are talking about Revision Rhinoplasty

Get Free Email Updates

Revisionary Rhinoplasty for Semi-collapsed Nostril - Closed Rhinoplasty Method Possible?

asked 1 year ago by Tom S in California
Latest answer by Elliot M. Heller, MD
Question viewed 708 times
Tags: collapse, feminine, open, scar

The original surgery I had caused more feminization of the nose than I would have liked (I am male)and caused a semi-collapsed right nostril which appears somewhat noticeable to others. From what i've read here, the open rhinoplasty method is typically recommended for a collapsed nostril, however, I would like to know if this method is required for my case. I'd much prefer to avoid the scar (however faint)and the increased invasiveness that might occur with this method. Thanks, Tom

13 answers to Revisionary Rhinoplasty for Semi-collapsed Nostril - Closed Rhinoplasty Method Possible?

Very difficult Revision Rhinoplasty

I have performed Rhinoplasty for over 20 years and have performed some very difficult Revision Rhinoplasties, so you can put my comments in the proper perspective. You have a very difficult nose to perform Revision Rhinoplasty upon. The tip cartilages were over resected using an older tip thinning technique were the cartilage is cut in two segments, the mid section remains and the outside segments collapse. There is a segment, on the right tip, where the skin is... more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

drfrancispalmer.com

Semi collapsed nostril

The approach of an open reduction Rhinoplasty would be more likely to result in a better outcome for your nose.

Elliot M. Heller, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Open approach required

The short answer to your question is no. There is no requirement for the type of approach, however each surgeon based on their experience will utilize the approach which maximizes the likely hood of a good result in their hands.

Jay M. Pensler, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurg.org

Surgical approach for revision rhinoplasty

In my opinion both open and closed approaches have their role depending on each patient's anatomy and goals. You have quite a bit of tip pinching and alar collapse. Often an open approach allows for the best reconstiution of the tip structure to help improve its appearance and function, but certainly some surgeons would recommend a closed approach instead. What's most important in rhinoplasty cases isn't the surgical approach, per se, but what the surgeon does to the nose... more

Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drlamperti.com

Closed vs Open Revision Rhinoplasty

You have more problems with your tip than just a collapsed nostril. I would recommend an open rhinoplasty, a technique I have used for 35 years for difficult revisions like yours. Having said that, some surgeons would use the closed technique. Pick the surgeon, not the technique

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Closed Technique is Possible

Yes, closed rhinoplasty can be performed to well correct the nasal deformities that disturb you and compromise function. More important though is finding the well experienced surgeon skilled to perform the reconstruction you require. Research carefully and ask to see before-and-after photographs showing the same or similar problems corrected properly. The "right" technique in the "wrong" hands will not produce a satisfactory result. In this instance, the... more

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Collapsed nostril; open or closed revision rhinoplasty

Doing a revision rhinoplasty open or closed is not the issue; they are both only approaches; each has its drawbacks. You will find cultists who say their way is the only way to go. Your surgeon should know both approaches well and decide after examining you what is the best way to address your particular problem. The most important decision you should make is the choice of your surgeon to do the revision; how many of these has he done, what is his experience with your particular problem, can... more

Russell W. H. Kridel, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.todaysface.com

Everything is possible, but ...

Everything is possible, including revising a collapsed nostril with a closed rhinoplasty. However in order to maximize the possibility of a successful correction most surgeons would recommend that this be done open where the anatomy can be fully exposed and visualized. This is especially important in the case of a revision because the anatomy has already been disturbed. Scarring, previous grafts and realignments of cartilage from previous surgeries are better seen prior to... more

Adam Hamawy, MD
Westchester Plastic Surgeon

Closed rhinoplasty can solve all the same problems as open--with fewer risks

Many surgeons have their preferred methods and reasons for them, but there is data to answer your question. Patients that have had closed rhinoplasties have fewer and less severe deformities than those who have had open rhinoplasties. This outcome is related to the open approach itself. The only thing that the surgeon can see better in open rhinoplasty is the tip cartilages--and you and the surgeon pay a price for that visibility. The open dissection decreases tip... more

Mark B. Constantian, MD
Nashua Plastic Surgeon

Revisionary Rhinoplasty for Semi-collapsed Nostril - Closed Rhinoplasty Method Possible?

The open technique will allow better visualization of nasal structures and more percise corrective maneuvers. Having said that, closed techniques can also achieve relative improvements if done by a surgeon well-versed in revision rhinoplasty through close technique.

Mohsen Tavoussi, MD, DO
Huntington Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon

Open rhinoplasty is probably best for tip revisions

Although I understand your concern about open rhinoplasty, the incision heals beautifully in 99% of cases and is essentially imperceptible within 6-12 months following the procedure. The open technique allows for much more precision and accuracy, especially when trying to resolve subtle asymmetries in the tip. Approximately 75% of my rhinoplasty procedures are done open (this is partly because revision rhinoplasty represents about 40% of my rhinoplasty practice), but the type of... more

Adam D. Stein, MD
Raleigh-Durham Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialdoc.com

Open rhinoplasty preferred for tip revisions

Hi Tom, Your tip does look from these photos like it is twisting and causing some inflare on the side of your right nostril. You may be experiencing some nasal obstruction associated with this as well. Many people are afraid of the open rhinoplasty approach because of the perceived 'invasiveness'; however, it is no more invasive than a closed approach which introduces more scars internally. If done properly, the open rhinoplasty incision heals imperceptibly. The benefits offered... more

Jason Litner, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Closed revision

Although closed techniques would allow one to improve your nose the best result would be obtained through use of the open technique for precise placement and suturing of the cartilage grafts.