What Hurts Less - Open Rhinoplasty or Closed Rhinoplasty?

There are no studies that I am aware of  to say one way or another. Pain is a very individual thing.   The pain from rhinoplasty is usually well tolerated.  Ice, elevation, and modern pain medicine all help to make this a very tolerable experience. 

I couldn't find a single published study comparing pain between the two nor have I ever seen a measurable or consistent difference in pain between open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty. I suspect that--patient factors aside--the gentler surgeon probably produces less trauma and thus less pain regardless of approach. Find a surgeon who's gentle when examining your nose in the office and who doesn't take a hurried approach. 

All the best,

--DCP