Global Courant
The history of plastic surgery dates back to the 700s BC. In the 8th century BC, doctors in ancient India used skin grafts for reconstructive work. There are notes describing rhinoplasty and otoplasty from that time. This knowledge of plastic surgeons existed in India up to the 18th century, which is evident from the reports published in Gentleman’s Magazine. It was 1794.
In addition, the Romans could also perform techniques such as repairing damaged ears, from about the 1st century BC. In a 1465 book, there were descriptions and classifications of hypospadias, while the localization of the urethral meatus was described in detail. At the same time in Europe, Heinrich von Pfolspeundt described a process: “To make a new nose for one who has none at all, and the dogs have devoured it”. He clearly says this can be done by removing the skin from the back of the arm and stitching it in place. But because of the dangers of surgery of any kind, it wasn’t until the 19th and 20th centuries that plastic surgeries became commonplace.
It took some time for the techniques of anesthesia to become established, which helped a lot to start operations. Not only that, but infection from surgery was reduced when sterile technique and disinfectants were introduced. The plastic surgeons of the time could then use antibiotics with sulfa drugs and penicillin, making plastic surgery possible.
There is an exact procedure of how Chopart performed lip surgery in 1791 using a flap taken from the neck. Twenty years later, surgery was successfully performed on a military officer who had lost his nose. Carl Von Graefe, the German surgeon, published his main work entitled “Rhinoplastik”, which was used by many doctors in the future. Another great contribution is a comprehensive text on rhinoplasty entitled Operative Surgery. The concept of reoperation was introduced, describing how to improve the cosmetic appearance of the reconstructed nose.
John Roe, an American otolaryngologist, presented an example of his work in 1891. His subject was a young woman in whom he reduced a dorsal nasal hump for cosmetic indications. A year later, plastic surgeon Robert Weir unsuccessfully experimented with xenografts in the reconstruction of sunken noses. James Israel, a urological surgeon from Germany, and George Monks from the United States, described the use of heterogeneous free bone grafting to successfully reconstruct saddle nose defects. The German physician Jacques Joseph published his first report on rhinoplasty. And in 1928 the same man published “Nasenplastik Und Sonstige Gesichtsplastik”.
Dr. John Peter Mettauer was the first plastic surgeon in the US. Mettauer performed the first cleft palate operation with instruments he designed himself, which was an extraordinary achievement. Another important figure in plastic surgery was Harold Gillies, who developed many of the techniques of modern plastic surgery in the care of those who suffered facial injuries in World War I. The work he started there was expanded during World War II by his cousin Archibald McIndoe. He pioneered treatment for RAF aircrew suffering from severe burns. His radical treatments led to the creation of the Guinea Pig Club.
Plastic surgery has evolved a lot in the 20th century in the US. Vilray Blair was a founding member who served as the first Chief of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. He had many areas of expertise, including treating soldiers with complex maxillofacial injuries. Dr. Blair wrote an article on “Reconstructive Facial Surgery” that had set the standard for craniofacial reconstruction. In addition, he was one of the first non-oral surgeons elected to the American Association of Oral and Plastic Surgery. He taught many plastic surgeons who became leaders in the plastic surgery field.
History of plastic surgery
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