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Plastic surgery is a term for operative manual
and instrumental treatment which is performed for functional
or aesthetic reasons. The word "plastic" derives
from the Greek plastikos meaning to mold or to shape;
its use here is not connected with modern plastics.
The principal areas of plastic surgery include two broad fields.
- Reconstructive surgery, including microsurgery, focuses
on undoing or masking the destructive effects of trauma,
surgery or disease. Reconstructive surgery may include closing
defects using skin grafts or with local, regional or distant
flaps that is, by moving tissue from other parts of the
body.
- Cosmetic (or aesthetic) surgery is most often performed
in order to change features the patient finds unflattering.
In many cases, however, there are medical reasons (for example,
breast reduction when orthopedic problems are present).
The History
The history of cosmetic surgery reaches back to the
ancient world. Physicians in ancient India including the great
Indian surgeon Susrutha were utilizing skin grafts for reconstructive
work as early as the 8th century BC. His work Sushruta Samhita
describes rhinoplasty and otoplasty. This knowledge of plastic
surgery existed in India up to the late 18th century as can
be seen from the reports published in Gentleman's Magazine (October
1794). The Romans were able to perform simple techniques such
as repairing damaged ears from around the 1st century BC. In
mid-15th century Europe, Heinrich von Pfolspeundt described
a process "to make a new nose for one who lacks it entirely,
and the dogs have devoured it" by removing skin from the
back of the arm and suturing it in place. However, because of
the dangers associated with surgery in any form, especially
that involving the head or face, it was not until the 19th and
20th centuries that such surgeries became commonplace.
The U.S.'s first plastic surgeon was Dr. John Peter Mettauer.
He performed the first cleft palate operation in 1827 with
instruments that he designed himself. The New Zealander Sir
Harold Gillies developed many of the techniques of modern
plastic surgery in caring for those who suffered facial injuries
in World War I, he is considered to be the father of modern
plastic surgery. His work was expanded upon during World War
II by one of his former students and cousin, Archibald McIndoe,
who pioneered treatments for RAF aircrew suffering from severe
burns. McIndoe's radical, experimental treatments, lead to
the formation of the Guinea Pig Club. |
