YOUnique Rhinoplasty, Milano

Traditionally, rhinoplasty has been divided into external and endonasal or “closed” types. In external rhinoplasty, the surgeon “opens” the nose making a skin incision at the columella. This allows the surgeon to expose the cartilages and bones of the nose to full view. Many rhinoplasty centers around the world practice open rhinoplasty. This operation might leave a visible scar even when the columellar incision has been placed and closed correctly. Usually, it is barely visible. In the external approach, the nose has to be deconstructed and then reconstructed to regain its stability.

However, this complex, time-consuming and potentially risky approach is often not required for the majority of patients who desire an aesthetic improvement.
In other centers, the emphasis is totally on a closed technique where incisions are hidden within the nose. This approach makes it more difficult for the surgeon to visualize the nasal structures, especially the nasal tip. In the classical “closed” rhinoplasty, the emphasis is mainly on bone and cartilage reduction. In experienced hands it can achieve excellent results.
I have developed a hybrid technique, already described and published in the prestigious journal Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. Hybrid approach means that an external incision will NOT be made and therefore, a scar on the outside of the nose cannot form. The advantage of the hybrid approach, compared to the standard closed reduction rhinoplasty, is that most of the techniques of the external approach can be used to elegantly reshape the size, angles, curves, or proportions of the nose. One could think of this approach as a “scar-free” rhinoplasty technique that takes advantage of the best of both worlds of open and closed rhinoplasty. The endonasal “hybrid” technique provides an excellent alternative to the more aggressive external approach as it allows for minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, and more extensive surgery when necessary.