Surgical Techniques

Rhinoplasty can be applied by two techniques: open technique and closed technique. Open technique involves a small incision made at the lower part of the nasal tip, i.e. the area where the lip and nose meet. In the closed technique, the nasal tip and nasal bridge are exposed through a small incision made on the inside of the nasal wings.

I prefer the closed technique for less problematic noses. Its advantages are short duration of operation and faster recovery of edema in the nasal tip. However, I consider that the open technique is more useful for serious problems with the nasal tip, “C”- or “S”-shaped nasal deformities due to a trauma, or patients who have previously undergone rhinoplasty surgery but not satisfied with the result and will undergo a second or third surgery. The advantage is that you have more command on the nose anatomy at every stage of the surgery and you can easily deal with the functional problems at the same time. Almost none of my patients have ever had a scar.

It is my personal preference to use the appropriate surgical technique in the appropriate patient. The majority of my patients are patients that I believe the open technique is required. Even the problematic noses in the Scandinavian or Baltic countries are too beautiful to be compared to the noses of the Anatolian people. Therefore, the technique to be used may vary according to country, city, and patient.

In recent years, there has been a discussion particularly between physicians performing rhinoplasty about the closed and open technique. If you ask me, this discussion is quite unnecessary. No matter what technique you prefer, as a physician, you should make a good-looking nose with no functional problems for your patient. Therefore, rather than which technique you will choose, we need to look at which technique comes to life in your hands. You should know both techniques perfectly, but the choice is entirely up to the patient and the surgeon. Personally, about 40% of my patients have had undergone surgery before. An important part consists of those who have a traumatic crooked nose, collapsed nasal bridge or asymmetric nasal tip. I perform the open technique in about 90% of my surgeries.

Regardless of the technique, less pain occurs after surgery. However, if there is pain, this is a pain that responds quickly to painkillers. Both techniques may cause swelling and bruise around the eyes. This may vary from patient to patient but completely disappears within 7 days.

A nasal splint (plaster) is usually removed after a week. The swelling in the root of the nose decreases in the 3rd month and the swelling in the nose back decreases in the 6th month. The swelling on the nose tip and nasal wings decreases in the 9th month. The time required for full recovery is 1 year.