Most Newport Beach plastic surgeons perform the open rhinoplasty approach. Utilizing this technique, the surgeon has a better chance to look directly at the nasal structures. The nasal skeleton is made up of cartilage and bone; parts the surgeon will reposition and reconstruct in order to improve the nose. Once the nasal cartilages are exposed, they are reconstructed by reducing, reshaping, and suturing. In open rhinoplasty, cartilage grafts are utilized to ensure maintenance of shape and form. These grafts are small pieces of cartilage harvested from the septum and placed in locations that require structural supports. Basically open rhinoplasty is a procedure when the surgeon dismantles the existing structure of the nose and reassembles it according to aesthetic and functional needs.
Advantages of Open Rhinoplasty
The most important benefit from open rhinoplasty in Orange County is its superb exposure to parts of the nasal anatomy that needs to be fixed. Open rhinoplasty is tantamount to taking apart a car engine to fix it instead of completing the repair through the radiator. By lifting the skin over the nasal structure the underlying cartilages and anatomy can be altered and corrected to the desired shape. Furthermore, grafts are more easily placed. Unfortunately, this simplicity of exposure and grafting does not necessarily mean the best results for every patient. Revision rhinoplasty or secondary rhinoplasty is usually performed via open approach and it continues to be a common procedure sought even after open nasal reshaping cosmetic surgery.
Disadvantages of Open Rhinoplasty
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and an open rhinoplasty approach may not be right for everyone. An open rhinoplasty takes longer to perform and the time is generally dedicated to placing cartilage grafts. Open Rhinoplasties take about two hours to perform; however, in some cases when more reconstructive work is needed, the procedure can take up to three hours. There may be some internal scarring after an open nasal reshaping surgery. Since more extensive surgical dissection of nasal structures are necessary for the open rhinoplasty procedure. Unwanted scaring may cause tissue thickening and may create forces which can pull structures in unwanted directions. Adding structural support with a cartilage graft is important to reduce these forces. If any irregularity or scaring is formed from previous surgeries, then an open approach is required for a revision rhinoplasty.
