Surgery performed on the nose is called rhinoplasty. In the modern era, it is popularly called a ‘nose job’ and is often associated with vanity — the cosmetic improvement of “facial symmetry”. Functional improvements to the airways is also a good reason for surgery, or less frequent causes such as birth defects (cleft palate) falls, cancers, etc.
India ranks fourth in the world in rhinoplasties performed annually. (A note of caution — availability of the procedure does not translate to widespread availability of expertise, and the outcome of nose jobs can be hit-or-miss. Prominent surgeons say that a significant number of their new patients are only seeking a ‘redo’).
The nose is a defining feature of our appearance and identity. This may explain why phrases such as the Hindi phrase, naak kat gaya (my nose was cut) refer to a not so literal loss of face. In many societies, the cutting of the nose was a severe form of punishment. This may also explain why the reconstruction of noses is a very old surgical procedure.
