Supporters of traditional rhinoplasty and promoters of open rhinoplasty have debated their approaches for many years. From
among different possible techniques, a surgeon must always choose the approach that provides the best aesthetic result. The
surgeon’s experience and artistic sense are essential for the closed technique, whereby most of the corrections are performed
without exposing the nasal frame. The open technique allows a greater operating range with a direct view of the nasal structure,
resulting in improved precision in modeling the cartilages. However, the absence of intact skin cover exposes the surgeon
to a less precise overall aesthetic evaluation. This report highlights the marginal technique, described in 1990 by Guerrerosantos,
which uses a two-sided circular incision permitting complete dissection of the alar cartilages and the overhead skin cover
of the columella. This approach, together with the extramucous technique, permits complete exposure of the skin and nasal
septum without a columella incision. Therefore, the marginal technique is suitable for primary rhinoplasty cases in which
complex modeling of the nasal tip and an excellent aesthetic result are required.
Keywords Closed rhinoplasty - Extra mucous technique - Marginal technique - Open rhinoplasty - Traditional rhinoplasty - Two-sided circular incision