What is the difference between an open reduction and open rhinoplasty?

Question

What is the difference between an open reduction and open rhinoplasty? Or are they one in the same? My doc mention re-breaking my nose from an old 20+ yr old, untreated, broken nose.

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

An open reduction is usually the terminology used when fixing a nasal fracture. It involves resetting the nasal bones to straighten them. An open rhinoplasty is when the nasal skin is opened to perform cosmetic rhinoplasty, usually with tip work. Be sure to see a rhinoplasty specialist when contemplating any type of surgery on your nose.

Roberto E. Garcia, MD, FACS · Answer

Lets first talk about the Reduction definitions.  Open vs. Closed Reduction of fractures refers to how a surgeon addresses actual fractures of the nasal bone.  IF the injury is new and the bones are mobile, then a closed reduction is performed with no incisions, just mobilization of the bones with an elevator.  The open reduction is used in old fractures whereby the bones have to have small cuts placed along the length and the bones be re-positioned.  Those techniques do nothing for any other part of the nose.Now, Open Rhinoplasty vs. Closed Rhinoplasty.  The only difference is whether an incision is placed under the nose.  They both achieve changes in the hump, dorsum, bones, cartilages, septum, etc.  Most surgeons are not properly trained on Closed, as it is more challenging, but yields quicker recovery and less bruising and swelling.  I perform a lot of rhinoplasties and can tell you that I use the closed technique 80% of the time.  Then next question that you need answered is whether your surgeon is a facial specialist.Make sure they are double board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery.Good Luck.

Richard W. Westreich, MD · Answer

An open rhinoplasty involves incisions at the base of the nose (columella) and exposure of the entire cartilage and bony framework of the nose. An open reduction means that incisions are made to access the nasal bones so they can be re-broken. Usually these are small discrete incisions on the inside of the nose.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

That is actually an excellent question since they are two completely separate operations. When patients fracture their nasal bones, they can be reset by one of two ways,  A closed reduction, or an open reduction.  A closed reduction just means the nasal bones are manipulated back into place without making any cuts. An open reduction means that osteotomies are placed in the nasal bones and the entire nasal bones are then reset to their proper anatomical position A closed rhinoplasty versus an open rhinoplasty is only the approach on how  a surgeon makes all the changes on the inside of the nose.  A closed rhinoplasty approach makes all the incisions on the inside of the nose in order to change the shape of the tip, the bridge line, dorsal hump removal and cartilage grafts. An open rhinoplasty approach makes incisions on both the inside and the outside of the nose effect changes described just like  a closed rhinoplasty approach.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

AN open reduction refers to any procedure where the fracture is exposed with incisions to reduce the fracture and re-align the bones.  An open rhinoplasty is a technique to perform a rhinoplasty often using a small incision along the columella( just below the nasal tip)

Stephen E. Small, DO · Answer

Thanks for the question. An open approach open rhinoplasty when the surgeon makes a small incision on the outside of the nose at the columella which is the area below your nose tip and the upper lip skin. An incision is then made along the inside of your nose as well. A closed approach or closed rhinoplasty is when the incisions are all made on the inside of the nose. Both approaches can work great. Preference often comes from training and the amount and types of changes that need to be made.
Best of Luck

Babar Sultan, MD · Answer

An open reduction is where the nasal bones are broken in a controlled fashion to correct bony deviation or cause narrowing. An open reduction can be a component of a open rhinoplasty. A rhinoplasty or nose job can address other issues as well such as the tip or projection.

All the best!
Babar Sultan MD

All the best!
Babar Sultan MD

What is the difference between an open reduction and open rhinoplasty?

Answers (7)

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