What Is a Primary Rhinoplasty
The nose is one of the most common complaints of patients visiting a facial plastic surgeon’s office. When one’s nose is distracting, the face becomes out of balance, and the gaze is drawn away from other attractive facial features. Someone with “beautiful eyes,” for example, will always have a nose that is proportionate to the rest of the face. It is critical to find a rhinoplasty surgeon who understands both the cosmetic and functional aspects of nasal anatomy. It is also critical for the doctor and patient to be able to properly discuss individual nasal beauty ideals.
The nose is not only a cosmetic feature of one’s appearance; it also serves an important functional function. We are, after all, designed to breathe through our noses. When forced to breathe through the mouth, one feels restricted, sick, and unhealthy. A well-proportioned nose will not only fit the face but will also function properly. When considering surgical changes to the nose, a thorough understanding of its functionality on both the inside and outside is essential.
It is often difficult to convey the effect of a procedure that will change the shape of a person’s nose. Furthermore, the surgeon’s perception of the ideal nose on a person’s face may differ from the patient’s perception. While aesthetic nasal proportion ideals have been described, how the nose will harmonize with the rest of the face must be personalized. A woman’s nasal bridge, for example, should be flat to slightly concave. Most people believe that a woman’s convex nasal bridge is masculinizing. This rule, however, cannot be applied universally. The goal is to create an artistic nose that is in complete harmony with the rest of the face and fits the patient’s perception of beauty. Communication between the patient and the surgeon prior to surgery is critical. The use of computer imaging to fully convey these thoughts is critical. For more information on computer imaging, please see the 3D imaging section.
Rhinoplasty Surgical Techniques in the Seattle downtown area.
Our surgeons learned rhinoplasty techniques from many of the world’s experts during his residency and fellowship training. While each surgery has many minor variations, grafts, suturing techniques, and cartilage cutting, he uses two general approaches. Approximately 80% of his rhinoplasties are performed through incisions made only inside the nose. This prevents external scarring and expedites recovery. This procedure is known as a closed or endonasal rhinoplasty.
Occasionally, the tissues cannot be elevated off the nose’s structure, or visualization is insufficient, necessitating an open approach. This method is known as an open, open structure, or external rhinoplasty. The main distinction between closed and open rhinoplasty is the presence of an incision at the base of the nose. Although the incision is visible during the initial stages of healing, the final scar is barely visible. The decision to use an open or closed approach is unique to each case and is made by the surgeon.
More details on rhinoplasty surgery rhinoplasty techniques
