Definition of Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, also known as a "nose job," is a surgical procedure that involves reshaping or altering the structure of the nose to improve its appearance and/or function. The goal of the surgery can be to change the size, shape, or angle of the nose, or to correct a birth defect or injury. It can also be done to improve breathing difficulties caused by structural abnormalities in the nose.
Rhinoplasty is performed by a plastic surgeon and is usually done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia.
What Types of Rhinoplasty are there?
Rhinoplasty surgery comes in four different forms. Your plastic surgeon, with their extensive experience, will assess your individual case and determine which type of rhinoplasty is the best fit for you during a comprehensive consultation. Here are the four types of rhinoplasty available:
1. Open Rhinoplasty
This is the most common type of rhinoplasty surgery, used for significant reshaping of the nose. It involves a small Z-shaped incision made in the tissue between the nostrils, which allows for greater precision, especially in more complex cases.
2. Closed Rhinoplasty
In this method, all incisions are made inside the nostrils, which eliminates the risk of visible scarring. This method is less invasive, and the recovery process is generally faster, but the surgeon's view is more limited, which can make it more challenging to achieve the desired results. It is usually used for minor reshaping of the nose.
3. Septum Rhinoplasty
This surgical procedure, also called Septoplasty, is used to correct a deviated nasal septum, which is the partition between the two nostrils.
4. Complicated/Complex Rhinoplasty
Also known as Revision Rhinoplasty, this type of procedure is done to correct deformities
or functional problems that occurred after the initial rhinoplasty surgery.