Which suffix would be best suited for describing the surgery performed to repair a defect?

The suffix that is best suited for describing the surgery performed to repair a defect is "-plasty." This suffix comes from the Greek word "plastos," which means molded or formed. In medical terminology, "-plasty" specifically indicates surgical repair or reconstruction of a part of the body. For instance, rhINOPLASTY refers to the surgical alteration of the nose, while angIOPLASTY refers to the repair of blood vessels.

In contrast, the other suffixes have different meanings and are not appropriate for describing a surgical repair of a defect. The suffix "-otomy" refers to making an incision or cutting into a part of the body, which does not necessarily imply repair. The suffix "-osis" indicates a condition or disease, often associated with an abnormal state, rather than a surgical procedure. Lastly, "-itis" denotes inflammation, which describes a pathological condition rather than a surgical intervention. Thus, "-plasty" is the correct choice for describing a surgical repair.