Nasal reshaping can be done through either an open technique, where a small incision is placed across the base of the nose, or through a closed technique, where incisions are made only inside the nose. While most patients do not ask for an open rhinoplasty or a closed rhinoplasty, it can be beneficial to understand the difference between them.
Improved Outcomes with Either Open or Closed Rhinoplasty Techniques
The open technique affords for better exposure of the underlying nasal structure, but the tradeoff is the small scar. In Dr. Hatef’s hands, this scar is practically imperceptible, and so the open technique is what he prefers to use, especially in secondary and revision cases. However, when a patient’s nose lends itself to rhinoplasty through a closed, or endonasal, approach, he is am happy to do it with the incisions hidden inside.
Dr. Hatef’s Experience with Closed Rhinoplasty
Dr. Hatef was blessed to spend 3 years in Dallas at UT Southwestern, with Drs. Rod Rohrich, Jack Gunter, and Steve Byrd – men who were literally considered masters of rhinoplasty. This experience was amazing for Dr. Hatef, and because they did exclusively open rhinoplasty, he was able to see the anatomy unencumbered by the skin. Dr. Hatef’s understanding of open rhinoplasty was so deep, that he began to feel like he needed to get more exposure to closed rhinoplasty in order to round out his education. When it came time to choose where to continue his training, he went to Houston, where closed rhinoplasty was being performed by a couple of very well-respected surgeons, Drs. Sam Stal and Michael Eisemann. Dr. Hatef learned so much from them, and was able to get a full exposure to the full circle of rhinoplasty techniques. This breadth of experience allows him to perform either open or closed rhinoplasty in a facile manner.
