Rejuvenation Rhinoplasty

About the Procedure

A rejuvenation rhinoplasty, while typically minimal in scope, provides patients maximum return for a youthful appearance. As we age, the loss of collagen and elastin as well as the forces of gravity cause the skin to droop. This droopiness, alongside the loss of volume in the lips and cheeks, can make the nose appear longer or larger. A rejuvenation rhinoplasty will commonly only address superficial aspects of the nose such as the tip or excess skin, while leaving inherent structures such as the septum intact. A rejuvenation rhinoplasty, much like a primary rhinoplasty, can be performed with either an open or closed approach. If an open approach is used, an incision will be made at the columella, just beneath the tip of the nose. The nose will then be retracted backwards, dissecting the nose cartilage with care being taken to not incise the medial crura, the cartilage that separates the nostrils. The flap will be raised off of the nose for maximum exposure and work can now be done to reshape the nasal tip, bridge, nostrils, or septum repair. Once completed, the flap will be redraped over the bone framework and external contouring and shaping is completed. The incision will be closed with sutures and an external splint or cast will be placed over the nose. If a closed approach is used, incisions will be made on the inside of the nose. The nasal structure will not be exposed which means decreased visualization for the surgeon, however postoperative scarring will be hidden and discreet. The addition of an endoscope may be used during a closed rhinoplasty to increase visualization. When repair has been completed, sutures will close incisions and an external splint or cast will be placed over the nose.