Does rhinoplasty leave scars?

Rhinoplasty can primarily be performed in two ways. The standard procedure of rhinoplasty is to make a tiny incision on the columella, which is the small flap of skin between the two nostrils. This surgery is called “closed rhinoplasty” because the entire operation is done through a little hole which is a quarter of an inch by a quarter of an inch in size. The advantage in this procedure is that it does not leave any scars on the outer surface of the nose. The entire work is done on the insides of the nose.

The other form of rhinoplasty is called “open rhinoplasty.” In this case, the incisions are made on the outside of the nose so that the surgeon gets full access to the nasal passage. This makes it easier for the operating surgeon who can see and perform the surgery conveniently, but it is bound to leave an unsightly scar on the patient’s nose. This is a major downside of this technique because the nose is a very prominent part of facial aesthetics, and the scar will attract attention.

An experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty will normally choose to do a closed rhinoplasty procedure, because the scar is an unnecessary and undesirable outcome that he or she will try to avoid. Surgeons who have performed thousands of procedures do not need to see the inside of the nose to perform the rhinoplasty. They can simply do it by feeling the insides of the nose.

Rhinoplasty is an intricate procedure with many delicate nuances to it. An inexperienced surgeon may not be equipped to perform a closed rhinoplasty perfectly. Therefore, he or she may have to opt for an open rhinoplasty that will result in a scar.

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