A “closed” rhinoplasty refers to surgical access where the surgical incisions are hidden inside the nostrils for a rhinoplasty procedure. Since this surgical approach avoids a potentially visible scar many surgeons use this approach, but it also significantly limits the surgical exposure. As a result, many surgeons including Dr. Kole prefer the “open” rhinoplasty approach, which connects the internal nostril incisions at the smallest distance between the nostrils (the columella) to increase surgical visualization.
Direct visualization enables the surgeon to change, reinforce and modify the skeletal framework. The revision rate for closed rhinoplasty is significantly higher. All revision rhinoplasty procedures are performed ‘open” to view the anatomy directly.
