What should be applied on postop eye trauma (nosejob), warm or cold compress?

Cold compress: Cold compresses will help with post surgical swelling.

Cold compress: Generally speaking, whenever you have trauma and swelling, whether post op, or accidental - a cold compress should be applied initially. Warm compresses may feel good, but it will cause vasodilation thereby increasing blood flow to the region, potentially increasing the bleeding and tissue swelling of the injured tissue. Cool compresses will help reduce swelling. Staying upright will also help.

Cold: Warm compresses cause blood vessels to dilate (enlarge) and this may lead to both increased swelling and increased bruising. Warm compresses are not recommended immediately after rhinoplasty. Cold compresses cause blood vessels to constrict (become smaller) and can reduce both swelling and bruising immediately after rhinoplasty. Keeping the head elevated and the heart rate down also helps.

Both: Cold is great for the first 24-48 hours to reduce swelling. After that it is less effective and warm is more soothing to the injury.