Is the healing time for a closed Rhinoplasty the same as an open Rhinoplasty?

Question

Hi I will be having closed rhinoplasty in september I have a hump and a pointy nose will closed rhinoplasty fix all that problems easier or harder than open rhinoplasty and is open/closed rhinoplasty healing prosses the same? Please help

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

Good questions. A closed
rhinoplasty avoids an external incision and often involves less surgical
dissection of the nasal tip. Formerly, many surgeons thought closed rhinoplasty
resulted in quicker recovery, but with continued experience and meticulous
surgical technique, the time to return to work and resolution of most of the
swelling is similar with both approaches. The trend has been to do more open
rhinoplasties by most experienced surgeons because of the ability to fix more
aesthetic issues while preserving a strong cartilage framework. With a closed
rhinoplasty, it is difficult to reshape cartilage, and so the major surgical
option is to reduce the cartilage framework. A dorsal hump reduction can be
achieved equally easy with both approaches, but greater flexibility in
refinement of the tip is possible with the open approach. Earlier in my career,
I performed only closed rhinoplasty, but now 90% of the time, I perform an open
approach. There are still some very good and experienced surgeons who prefer
the closed approach. It is best to have a discussion with your surgeon.

James Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSC · Answer

People often thing of the "incision" as they key part of surgey, when in fact this is only a minor part. When we do a rhinoplasty, we have to "lift" the skin of your nose so we can move things and suture things. Lifting or dissecting the skin is what causes the majority of swelling. In both open and closed rhinoplasties, a similar amount of dissection is required. however there are some minor differences. I find that the healing time is similar, however you may notice a slightly quickly healing time with a closed approach. The limitation of this, is that the exposure or the surgeons ability to see the tissue in your nose is slightly less than with the open approach.

George T. Moynihan, MD · Answer

I usually say healing for open rhinoplasty is only about 2 days more than a closed rhinoplasty due to the stitches. As for long term healing, they are the same.Good luck with your surgery!Warm regards,Dr. Moynihan

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

In my experience healing rate for both is about the same.  Tip may be a bit more extended with the open technique, however.

Andres G. Sarraga, MD, FACS · Answer

Swelling and healing: Two different things, healing from the rhinoplasty may take a similar time to "heal" initially, however when you cut the skin at the lowest part of the nose the swelling tends to stay longer in the tip, delaying your final result and making recovery longer. Closed rhinoplasty patients recover faster.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

When there is an incision across the columella, it take many months for that  incision to fade away. The open rhinoplasty results and more swelling for an extended period of time due to the interruption of the lymphatics and the skin, however both techniques can give excellent results. For many examples of closed rhinoplasty, please see the link and the video below

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

For long term healing, they are both the same.  You will have a few sutures that will have to be removed with an open, while the sutures will dissolve with a closed.

Is the healing time for a closed Rhinoplasty the same as an open Rhinoplasty?

Answers (7)

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