There are many different types of rhinoplasty surgery, and choosing the right procedure helps ensure you achieve the exact outcome you desire.
Open Approach Rhinoplasty
The open approach entails making an incision along the columella, the tissue that links the nasal tip to the nasal base, allowing the surgeon access to internal nasal structures. This option allows the surgeon the most freedom of choice in restructuring your nose. The incision is sutured, and the scar usually vanishes completely over time.
Closed Approach (Endonasal Rhinoplasty)
With the closed approach, there is no external incision; the procedure is performed inside the nostril. This approach ensures that there will be no visible scars but does limit some of the options available to the surgeon. For this reason, the closed approach may not be recommended for patients seeking surgery that requires extensive reconstruction.
Revision Rhinoplasty
If your initial rhinoplasty does not produce your desired outcome, it’s common for the patient to address their issues with further corrective work. If this is true for you, you may want to pursue revision rhinoplasty as an option.
Revision is a common procedure, but it is always difficult to predict exactly how a nose will heal from cosmetic reshaping, so many people choose to have multiple procedures until they get the desired result.
Septoplasty
The septoplasty procedure is less concerned with physical appearance since it is designed to address a specific problem: deviated septum. The procedure is identical to rhinoplasty, and the results are often similar, but the surgeon will be more focused on repairing the septum than producing a pleasing aesthetic result.
Keep that in mind if you want the best possible aesthetic outcome from your septoplasty procedure. Also, remember that diagnosing a deviated septum often does not address all of the problems hidden under the surface: you may require more extensive surgery once other issues have been discovered.
Functional Rhinoplasty
Functional rhinoplasty concerns breathing problems not caused by a deviated septum. Repairing the problem may include broadening nasal valves or restructuring other parts of the nostrils.
Like septoplasty, a pleasing aesthetic result is not the focus of this procedure. Patients who desire the best possible results in terms of appearance should consult closely with their surgeon before undergoing the procedure.
Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty
If you want to avoid surgery, you might be a candidate for nonsurgical rhinoplasty. This procedure utilizes injectable dermal fillers, which work very much like Botox® injections to alter your appearance. The results are not permanent, but they are long-lasting.
Ethnic Rhinoplasty
Ethnic rhinoplasty pays special attention to ensuring that the procedure produces results that are in harmony with recognizable ethnic traits and that certain natural aspects of the patient’s appearance are not diminished or erased.