reconstructive surgery

noun

: surgery to restore function or normal appearance by reconstructing defective organs or parts

Examples of reconstructive surgery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Duchess, who is popularly known as Fergie, was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer in June 2023, and doctors found a malignant melanoma during her reconstructive surgery. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 The Dodgers already know that the two-way star will not pitch again until 2025 after having a second reconstructive surgery on his elbow last year. Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 7 Feb. 2024 Her melanoma was discovered when several moles were removed while the Duchess of York, 64, was undergoing reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy, her representative told The Associated Press. USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 The melanoma was found after doctors removed several moles while performing reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. Harold Maass, The Week Us, theweek, 22 Jan. 2024 The doctors belong to the Face to Face program, which provides pro bono reconstructive surgery to children with facial deformities caused by birth or trauma and adult survivors of domestic violence in the U.S. Juliet Butler, Peoplemag, 21 Dec. 2023 The former royal, 64, had spoken publicly about her decision to undergo a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery last year, following a breast cancer diagnosis in the summer. Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2024 Despite those early reconstructive surgeries, James could not eat with his remaining teeth. Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 The pro skateboarder — who lost her top lip and part of her nose after she was attacked by a pit bull in November 2020 — posted an Instagram video documenting her visit to Studio Sashiko, a Los Angeles tattoo shop, for a consultation following her final reconstructive surgery earlier this year. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 9 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reconstructive surgery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reconstructive surgery was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near reconstructive surgery

Cite this Entry

“Reconstructive surgery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstructive%20surgery. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

reconstructive surgery

noun
: surgery to restore function or normal appearance by remaking defective organs or parts

More from Merriam-Webster on reconstructive surgery

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