Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)

A primary rhinoplasty is the first surgery a person undergoes to alter the shape or function of their nose. It is done to improve the appearance of the nose or to address functional issues like breathing difficulties. This type of rhinoplasty is typically performed when there are no prior nasal surgeries or complications.

A revision rhinoplasty is a secondary surgery performed to correct or improve the results of a previous rhinoplasty. This procedure may be needed if the initial surgery did not achieve the desired outcome or if the nose has shifted over time due to healing or scarring. Revision rhinoplasty is often more complex and challenging because the surgeon has to work with the existing changes from the first surgery, and the tissues may be more delicate or altered.

We are experts in both open and closed (endonasal) rhinoplasty. As with all rhinoplasty techniques, it is important to determine which one will work best for each specific patient.

In both techniques, incisions are placed in the inside of the nose. In open rhinoplasty, there is one extra small incision in the columella (area between your nostrils). This incision is very small, and the scar is virtually imperceptible in almost all patients.

Which technique is used depends on what is being addressed and the general nasal anatomy of each patient. A closed rhinoplasty might be a good option for some patients, while for others an open rhinoplasty will give them the best possible result.

Ultrasonic rhinoplasty is a modern, minimally invasive surgical technique in which a piezotome device is used to reshape the nose. Unlike traditional rhinoplasty, which involves manually breaking the nasal bones with tools like chisels, ultrasonic rhinoplasty uses ultrasonic waves, specifically high-frequency sound waves, to carefully and precisely reshape the bones of the nose.

This technique allows for more accurate adjustments and reduces trauma to surrounding tissues, resulting in less bruising and swelling after the procedure. The surgeon controls the intensity and frequency of the ultrasonic waves, which allows the surgeon to make fine adjustments to the nasal shape, even in complex cases.

Recovery time is typically quicker compared to traditional rhinoplasty due to the gentler nature of the technique. Ultrasonic rhinoplasty is commonly used for cosmetic changes such as narrowing the nose, straightening a crooked nose or refining the nasal bridge. Although not all surgeons offer this technique, it can provide excellent results with a more comfortable recovery.

Unlike traditional structural rhinoplasty, which often involves removing or breaking parts of the nose, preservation rhinoplasty aims to preserve more of the patient's own cartilage and bones. Preservation rhinoplasty techniques usually lead to less swelling, a quicker recovery and a more natural-looking result because some of the original features are preserved. It is important to understand that not everyone is a candidate for preservation rhinoplasty and that sometimes more than one technique needs to be used.

Ethnic rhinoplasty is a specialized type of rhinoplasty that takes into account a person's ethnic background and unique facial features when performing nasal surgery. The goal is to enhance the appearance of the nose while maintaining or respecting the individual’s ethnic identity. Different ethnic groups may have specific nasal characteristics, such as a wider or flatter nose, a different bridge shape, or a more prominent tip, and ethnic rhinoplasty tailors the procedure to address these traits in a way that looks natural and balanced with the rest of the face.

We perform a large volume of ethnic rhinoplasty. Examples of this include:

• Hispanic rhinoplasty
• Middle Eastern rhinoplasty
• African-American rhinoplasty
• Asian rhinoplasty

At Ensō, we firmly believe that all rhinoplasty should to be tailored to each face and to the patient’s ethnicity.

Male rhinoplasty is designed to enhance the shape, size and overall appearance of the nose while maintaining strong, masculine facial features. Techniques used in male rhinoplasty are different to those used in female rhinoplasty. In this type of rhinoplasty, the final goal should be one that compliments the male face and not one that seeks to feminize it.

Rhinoplasty is one of the few cosmetic surgeries that you can safely undergo as a teenager. However, it is important that the patient’s facial bones be fully developed prior to a rhinoplasty. This commonly occurs at around the age of 14 for females or 16 for males.