rhinoplasty /rī″nəplas′tē/ [Gk, rhis + plassein, to mold] , a procedure in plastic surgery in which the structure of the nose is changed or shaped. Bone or cartilage may be removed, tissue grafted from another part of the body, or synthetic material implanted to alter the shape. After surgery any respiratory difficulty is reported immediately. The head of the bed should be elevated postoperatively. Frequent oral care is given, and ice compresses are applied to decrease the pain and edema that usually occur. Edema and discoloration around the eyes are expected to last for several days. The procedure is most frequently performed for cosmetic reasons.
