Nose
Rhinoplasty (Closed Technique)
A nose that looks like it was always yours — refined through the closed approach with no external scar.
Duration
2 – 3 hours
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia
Stay
Day case (discharged same evening)
Indicative cost
EGP 65k – 95k
Closed (endonasal) rhinoplasty is the technique of choice in Dr. Saeed's practice for the majority of primary cases. Every incision is placed inside the nostrils, leaving no visible scar across the columella. The architecture of the nose is reshaped — dorsum, tip, base — to bring the proportions of the face into balance, while preserving the breathing function and the family resemblance the patient has lived with their whole life.
How this is approached at the practice
- The closed approach respects the soft-tissue envelope and limits post-operative swelling.
- Cartilage-preserving manoeuvres are favoured over aggressive resection.
- Spreader grafts and lateral crural strut grafts are used as needed for long-term structural integrity.
- Functional concerns (deviated septum, valve collapse) are corrected in the same operation when present.
Is closed rhinoplasty right for you?
The closed technique suits most primary rhinoplasties — patients who have not had a previous nasal operation, with skin that is not exceptionally thick, and with concerns that can be addressed without the wider field of access required for complex tip work. During consultation, Dr. Saeed will examine the internal nasal anatomy and the skin envelope before recommending an approach.
- Aged 18 or older with mature facial skeleton
- In good general health and a non-smoker (or willing to stop 6 weeks before and after)
- Realistic expectations: refinement, not transformation
- No active acne or skin condition over the operative field
- Able to take 10 – 14 days of social downtime
About the closed technique
The procedure, step by step.
All incisions sit hidden inside the nostrils. Dr. Saeed releases the soft-tissue envelope from the underlying framework, reshapes bone and cartilage with conservative osteotomies and structural grafting, then re-drapes the envelope. Without an external columellar incision, post-operative swelling resolves more predictably and there is no visible scar.
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1. Pre-operative planning
Computer morphing during consultation, lateral and frontal photographs, internal nasal endoscopy, and a written surgical plan reviewed with you 48 hours before surgery.
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2. Anaesthesia and positioning
General anaesthesia administered by a consultant anaesthetist. The head is positioned in mild reverse-Trendelenburg to reduce intraoperative bleeding.
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3. Endonasal access
Marginal and intercartilaginous incisions are placed entirely inside the nostrils. The skin envelope is elevated to expose the cartilaginous and bony framework.
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4. Reshaping the framework
Dorsal hump reduction, conservative cartilage trimming, septal correction if indicated, and structural grafting harvested from septal cartilage.
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5. Tip refinement
Suture techniques refine tip projection, rotation and definition without removing more cartilage than is strictly necessary.
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6. Closure and splinting
Incisions are closed with absorbable sutures. A low-profile thermoplastic cast is applied for seven days. Light internal silicone splints are placed only when septal work has been performed.
Recovery
Week by week — what to expect.
Final aesthetic settling at 9 – 12 months · Social downtime: Cast for 7 days, social downtime 10 – 14 days
Day 0 – 1
First night
Discharged the same evening with a cast on the bridge. Sleep on two pillows. Mild aching, manageable with paracetamol. No nasal packing in standard cases.
Day 2 – 6
Bruising peaks then fades
Periorbital bruising peaks on day three and fades visibly by day six. Cold compresses, rest, no bending forward. Light walking is encouraged.
Day 7
Cast removal
Clinic visit. Cast and any internal splints are removed. The new shape is visible — but still puffy. Steri-strips applied for a further three nights.
Week 2 – 4
Returning to public life
Most patients are comfortable returning to work and social settings by day 10 – 14. Light makeup may be used to camouflage residual bruising.
Month 3
60% of swelling resolved
The bridge has settled. The tip is still slightly fuller than its final form. Normal exercise resumes.
Month 12
Final result
Tip refinement is complete. The nose now reflects the surgical plan. A final review photograph is taken at twelve months.
Risk disclosure
We tell you everything that can happen.
Surgery carries risk. The most important conversation in any consultation is the one about what could go wrong, what we will do if it does, and what we cannot guarantee. The list below is a partial summary; the full discussion happens in person.
Bleeding
Minor oozing in the first 48 hours is normal. Significant bleeding requiring intervention is rare (under 1%) and almost always identifiable in the first night.
Infection
Reported in fewer than 1% of cases. Prophylactic antibiotics are given intra-operatively and continued for five days after surgery.
Asymmetry and irregularities
Small irregularities of the bridge or tip can develop as swelling resolves. Most are imperceptible to others; a small revision is required in approximately 6 – 8% of cases worldwide and is included in our care plan when needed.
Persistent swelling of the tip
Tip swelling is the slowest to resolve, particularly in patients with thicker skin. Massage and steroid micro-injections may be used during the first six months.
Breathing changes
Functional breathing is preserved or improved in 96% of our cases. Temporary nasal congestion is common for two to three weeks.
Anaesthetic risk
All operations carry a small anaesthetic risk. A consultant anaesthetist will see you before surgery and remain in the theatre throughout.
Frequent questions
Before you book.
Will I have a scar across my nose?+
No. With the closed technique, every incision is inside the nostrils. There is no external scar.
How long until I look 'normal' again in photographs?+
Most patients are comfortable in photographs by week three. The bridge looks settled by month three; the tip continues to refine for up to a year.
Can I combine rhinoplasty with septoplasty?+
Yes, and we routinely do. If a deviated septum is the cause of breathing difficulty, septoplasty is performed in the same operation at no extra theatre fee.
What is the price range?+
EGP 65,000 to 95,000 inclusive of surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre, and one year of follow-up reviews. A precise quotation is given after consultation.
Do you accept international patients?+
Yes. Our international concierge programme arranges consultation by video, hotel partnerships, airport transfer, and post-operative follow-up. See the International page.
Begin with a written surgical plan.
A consultation lasts 60 – 90 minutes and ends with a printed plan and quotation. There is no pressure to decide in the room.
Request consultation