Osteotomy (Bone Breaking)

An osteotomy is a controlled surgical cut through bone that allows the surgeon to realign, shorten, lengthen, or reshape skeletal structures. In plastic and reconstructive contexts this can include nasal osteotomies to narrow or straighten the nose, osteotomies of the jaw to correct bite and facial proportion, and other facial bone adjustments to repair deformities from trauma or congenital conditions. The goal is to improve form and function by repositioning bone segments and, when needed, combining the procedure with grafts or soft tissue work.

Osteotomies are performed under general or regional anesthesia and typically involve fixation with plates, screws, or wires to stabilise the bone while it heals. Recovery includes initial swelling and bruising for days to weeks, with bone healing taking several weeks to months; patients may have dietary or activity restrictions during this time. As with all surgeries, risks include infection, bleeding, delayed or nonunion of bone, altered sensation from nerve irritation, and the potential need for revision surgery if alignment or healing is unsatisfactory.