Question:
When it comes to deciding between a closed and open rhinoplasty, how much of that decision is the patient’s vs. the doctor’s?
Answer:
It should be a mutual decision. I try to direct the discussion towards understanding the desired result and why one approach vs the other better helps to achieve it. If a patient is determined to have a closed approach and i think I can achieve the result they want then there is no problem. If i think that the result will not be everything that is desired and the patient is willing to accept these possible limitations then again no problem. If I feel i won’t be able to deliver a satisfactory result with an approach the patient wants then I’d rather refer them to a colleague more comfortable with what they want.