Primary Open Rhinoplasty

Learning Objectives: After studying this article and viewing the videos, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe the operative technique necessary to perform open rhinoplasty. 2. Summarize the steps necessary in performing a component dorsal reduction. 3. Develop a surgical plan for nasal tip shaping and cephalic rotation of the nasal tip. 4. Identify the need for aesthetic improvement of the alar base, and perform successful alar base surgery. 5. Demonstrate consistency, safety, and predictability in rhinoplasty. Summary: Rhinoplasty remains one of the most challenging procedures in plastic surgery, and continues to be one of the top five aesthetic surgical procedures, with over 223,000 performed in 2016. Rhinoplasty may be performed by means of the "open" or the "closed" approach, and each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. This article focuses on the open approach, and the principles and techniques necessary to achieve consistent and gratifying results. As with all plastic surgery procedures, successful rhinoplasty begins with a thorough clinical analysis, definition of the goals, meticulous preoperative planning, precise operative execution, vigilant postoperative management, and a critical analysis of one's results.