Rhinoplasty pain
Rhinoplasty pain: closed versus open approach
I couldn’t find a single published study comparing pain between the two nor have I ever seen a measurable or consistent difference in pain between open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty. I suspect that – patient factors aside – the gentler surgeon probably produces less trauma and thus less pain regardless of approach.
Find a surgeon who’s gentle when examining your nose in the office and who doesn’t take a hurried approach. (David C. Pearson, MD, Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Discomfort of Open Rhinoplasty compared to Endonasal Rhinoplasty
Pain is somewhat unpredictable, as each person is unique. However, both approaches have similar postoperative discomfort level. Facial or sinus pressure after rhinoplasty are more common complaints rather than severe pain. More important than the approach to rhinoplasty, is the level of complexity of rhinoplasty.
The more surgery that is performed, then the more discomfort one may experience. Minor procedures have minimal, if any, discomfort.
Speak with your rhinoplasty surgeon to help determine appropriate guidance for you. (Houtan Chaboki, MD, Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Pain in rhinoplasty
Both procedures will result in the same amount of pain, swelling, and recovery. Open rhinoplasties sometimes take longer for the tip swelling to recede, but the results are the same. (Ricardo Izquierdo, MD, Oak Brook Plastic Surgeon)
Rhinoplasty pain during recovery
Both are not really paiful – you are sore after and it takes a while for the swelling to go down. Usually a closed rhinoplasty heals faster because there is no external incision. (William B. Rosenblatt, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
What Hurts Less – Open Rhinoplasty or Closed Rhinoplasty
As pain response is purely patient selective, in my opinion the open technique is more painful, longer healing than the closed rhinoplasty technique. (Darryl J. Blinski, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
Pain After Rhinoplasty Depends on You, Your Surgeon and Your Pharmacist
Rhinoplasty pain is never entirely predictable. But, with today’s wide array of great pain medication, why should pain be a worry?
Rhinoplasty pain photos
Now, a superspecialist nasal surgeon will tend to be more efficient, take less time to operate and therefore less swelling can be expected. Your own body is a factor. Some people just swell regardless of what is done. Just like some people bruise more. Finally, get friendly with your pharmacist before surgery. If one medicine does not work, he can provide another after your doctor prescribes a new one for you. When I had my rhinoplasty, I never took a pain pill. I was waiting for the pain to arrive but it never did. (Robert Kotler, MD, Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Open vs. Closed rhinoplasty pain
I do not knwo of any studies compraing the pain difference between the two. I would imagine they are about the same, but I personally think that in most cases an open approach would give a better result. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
Open or Closed Rhinoplasty pain: postop discomfort
Rhinoplasty pain during surgery
I don’t think one approach causes more pain than the other, but I think that in general the swelling after an open rhinoplasty, particularly at the tip, can be a bit more than in a closed rhinoplasty and can take longer to go down– for some folks this may cause some increased discomfort, but I think this is minimal. (Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Open or closed rhinoplasty pain – about the same!
Patients often ask about the pain comparing open vs. closed approached to rhinoplasty. In my experience, the pain is similar, and really not that bad. Most patients complain of discomfort, rather than severe pain. The other frequently asked question is about packing. People hear horror stories about “yards of packing” having been removed from a friend or family member’s nose when they had rhinoplasty surgery years ago.
Pain after rhinoplasty surgery
Happily, techniques have changed, and it is rare to place packing during a rhinoplasty procedure. (Theda C. Kontis, MD, Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Discomfort and pain after Rhinoplasty Surgery is minimal with either an open or closed approach.
Most patients in my practice grade their post-op pain 1-2 on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being their most painful experience. I almost always use an open approach, and in my experience, the open approach is not associated with more discomfort.
I do not routinely use nasal packing after Rhinoplasty Surgery. Nasal packing increases post-operative discomfort, and in my opinion is largely unnecessary. (Eric M. Joseph, MD, West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon)