Development of plastic surgery

Abstract

Plastic surgery is a medical specialty dealing with corrections of defects, improvements in appearance and restoration of lost function. Ancient times. The first recorded account of reconstructive plastic surgery was found in ancient Indian Sanskrit texts, which described reconstructive surgeries of the nose and ears. In ancient Greece and Rome, many medicine men performed simple plastic cosmetic surgeries to repair damaged parts of the body caused by war mutilation, punishment or humiliation. In the Middle Ages, the development of all medical braches, including plastic surgery was hindered. New age. The interest in surgical reconstruction of mutilated body parts was renewed in the XVIII century by a great number of enthusiastic and charismatic surgeons, who mastered surgical disciplines and became true artists that created new forms. Modern era. In the XX century, plastic surgery developed as a modern branch in medicine including many types of reconstructive surgery, hand, head and neck surgery, microsurgery and replantation, treatment of burns and their sequelae, and esthetic surgery. Contemporary and future plastic surgery will continue to evolve and improve with regenerative medicine and tissue engineering resulting in a lot of benefits to be gained by patients in reconstruction after body trauma, oncology amputation, and for congenital disfigurement and dysfunction.

Forgotten Pioneers of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery During the Medieval Period

“…Quoting Asaad et al4,6 who themselves quoted Albucasis on the description and treatment of male gynecomatia “…the breasts of some males may swell on attaining puberty so as to resemble the female breast…a semicircular incision should be made on the breast… then dissect away all the fatty tissue…” seems to be a quote from a modern plastic surgery textbook. “…But if the breast is pendulous and flabby on account of its size, as happens with women, you should make two semicircular incisions on the upper side….…”

“…If the discontinuity has separated the edges, and both edges have healed, it is necessary to scrape both edges on the external skin till they bleed; then bring the edges together with a suture…. and put over the powder a plaster of palm ointment… and leave bandaged for two or three days…" Quoting Asaad et al 4,6 who themselves quoted Albucasis on the description and treatment of male gynecomatia "…the breasts of some males may swell on attaining puberty so as to resemble the female breast…a semicircular incision should be made on the breast… then dissect away all the fatty tissue…" seems to be a quote from a modern plastic surgery textbook. "…But if the breast is pendulous and flabby on account of its size, as happens with women, you should make two semicircular incisions on the upper side….…”

“…3 On the northern Mediterranean shores in ancient Greece and Rome, simple plastic cosmetic surgeries were performed as well to repair damaged parts caused by war mutilation, punishment, or humiliation. 4 In ancient Rome, the encyclopedist Aulus Cornelius Celsus documented what we would call today blepharoplasty. 2 The traditional 19th-century view about the "Middle Ages" in Europe was that this period between the demise of Rome and the Renaissance lacked innovation.…”

“…Moreover, extending surgical practice, ancient Egyptians surgically inserted bone and seeds into the nose of deceased Ramses II who had a large and long nose to make sure he would be recognized and received as a king in the afterlife 3. On the northern Mediterranean shores in ancient Greece and Rome, simple plastic cosmetic surgeries were performed as well to repair damaged parts caused by war mutilation, punishment, or humiliation 4. In ancient Rome, the encyclopedist Aulus Cornelius Celsus documented what we would call today blepharoplasty 2…”