History of Plastic Surgery

To fully understand how the practice of plastic surgery began to take shape it is essential to first deconstruct the actual term that is used to describe these procedures. Contrary to popular belief the term "plastic surgery" has nothing to do with the fake, the unnatural or the manufactured as the word plastic might indicate. In fact, the term is derived from the Greek word "plastikos" which actually means to mold and this is quite appropriate considering that the idea of shaping and sculpting is paramount to plastic surgery.

Many historians agree that the first recorded account of reconstructive plastic surgery was documented in ancient Indian Sanskrit texts. The Hindu author Sushruta wrote about the reconstruction of earlobes and noses using skin from other parts of the face like the cheek and forehead. These procedures were quite necessary in Sushruta's time, which is thought to have been somewhere around 500 B.C., because using mutilation as a form of punishment and humiliation was quite common.

The Byzantine physician Oribasius was also an important historical figure when it comes to the evolution of plastic surgery. In the fourth century Oribasius wrote at length about different reconstructive procedures in his medical encyclopedia called Synagogue Medicae. In his writing Oribasius demonstrated his insight into important techniques such as using flaps to avoid the distortion of facial features and the process of creating tensionless suture lines. Oribasius's work in wound management and facial reconstruction remains an important contribution to the plastic surgery.

After Oribasius's time the practice of plastic surgery waned, only to experience a resurgence in the first the 14th and then the 18th century. In the 18th century plastic surgery gained popularity in Europe, particularly rhinoplasty, which many surgeons practiced and attempted to perfect.

In the late 1800s anesthesia was introduced as part of the practice of performing plastic surgery and eventually the procedure became more common and less risky.

John Roe, an American doctor, was the first person to offer an aesthetic approach to rhinoplasty (or nose plastic surgery) in 1891. He was well known for demonstrating how plastic surgery could be used for cosmetic purposes to help people who were not happy with their features.

Although there is evidence that suggests that plastic surgery has been around for thousands of years, it was not until World War I that these reconstructive procedures became slightly mainstream because of necessity.

During World War I doctors were called upon to treat a large number of individuals who had experienced severe head injuries and as a result were often missing noses, ears, lips and other body parts.

Procedures continued to evolve over the years, but plastic surgery wasn't truly recognized or defined until two European surgeons named Jacques Maliniac and Gustave Aufricht founded the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, which is now known as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or ASPS.

During World War II the popularity of plastic surgery continued to grow and become more advanced. During this time surgeons learned to perform the procedures with speed, precision and accuracy and this allowed more people than ever before to benefit from the surgery.

These days plastic surgery continues to evolve and improve and this continued evolution has allowed millions of people to benefit from the procedures both externally and internally.