What is the difference between two suffixes -pexy and -plasty?

-pexy and -plasty are two different medical suffixes that are often used to describe surgical procedures.

-pexy is used to describe a surgical procedure that is performed to fix or secure an organ or tissue in place. For example, a gastropexy is a surgical procedure that is performed to fix the stomach in place, and a hysteropexy is a surgical procedure that is performed to fix the uterus in place.

-plasty is used to describe a surgical procedure that is performed to reconstruct or repair a body part. For example, a rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that is performed to reconstruct the nose, and a mammaplasty is a surgical procedure that is performed to reconstruct the breasts.

In general, -pexy procedures are less invasive than -plasty procedures, and they typically involve less recovery time. -plasty procedures, on the other hand, are more invasive and typically involve a longer recovery time.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between -pexy and -plasty:

| Feature | -pexy | -plasty |

|---|---|---|

| Purpose | To fix or secure an organ or tissue in place | To reconstruct or repair a body part |

| Invasiveness | Less invasive | More invasive |

| Recovery time | Shorter | Longer |