FPS Facial Plastic Surgery · 2013

Endoscopic guided rhinoplasty

Behrbohm H, May J.

What this paper says

This article proposes performing selected steps of closed rhinoplasty under endoscopic view with new miniaturized instruments and an optical retractor, keeping the visibility of the open approach without its drawbacks; the abstract reports no patient counts.

Overview

Most rhinoplasties are now done open, which gives a clear view but destabilizes structures, takes longer and heals more slowly. The closed approach has returned in response. The authors describe adding an endoscope and purpose-built instruments to the closed approach so the surgeon can see individual steps without an external incision.

Sections of note

Descriptive technique article; no series, outcomes or complications appear in the abstract.
Historical note: rhinoplasty was first performed in Europe in the 19th century, with continuing debate over the best approach.
Stated disadvantages of the open approach: destabilization of structures, longer operating time, prolonged wound healing.
New instruments and an optical Aufricht retractor were developed for endoscopic control of selected steps.
Presented as minimally invasive with good results and meeting patient demand.

What it means for a patient

A camera can give the surgeon a magnified view inside the nose through nostril incisions, avoiding a scar on the columella for some operations.
The abstract claims good results without figures, so recovery time and outcomes cannot be compared from it.
Availability depends on the surgeon's training and equipment.

Why this paper matters

It is part of a European push to modernize closed rhinoplasty with visualization technology, alongside powered and ultrasonic instruments. Comparative data on outcomes or complications versus open surgery are not provided.

Terms

Endoscope: a thin tube with a lens and light used to see inside a body cavity.
Open approach: rhinoplasty through a small cut across the columella, lifting the skin off the framework.
Closed approach: rhinoplasty through incisions hidden inside the nostrils.
Aufricht retractor: an instrument that lifts the nasal skin to expose the bridge; here fitted with optics.
Minimally invasive: surgery designed to cause less tissue disruption.
Functional aesthetic surgery: surgery that addresses both breathing and appearance.

Summary written by rhinoplasty.cc from the abstract, 2026-09-08; not medical advice. The authors' own abstract follows.

From the abstract

“Rhinoplasty operations were first performed in Europe in the 19th century, and since that time there has been much controversy on the best approach. Currently, the majority of rhinoplasty operations are performed using the "open access" approach. This approach has helped many surgeons get started in functional…”

Excerpt; the full abstract is on PubMed.