Introduction to Plastic Surgery

By: Heather Harding

“Plastikos”

The term “plastic surgery” is derived from the Greek word “Plastikos”

Means to mold or give form

As early as 2,000 BCE in India as a form of punishment!

In 600 BCE Sanskrit texts described reconstruction of a mutilated nose using tissue from the cheek

When was the first reconstructive surgery performed?

Renaissance Times

Primarily rebuilding of nose Start of experimentation with Indian ideas

of using local and distant tissue to reconstruct wounds

War Times

The need for reconstructions launched during World War 1

Massive disfiguration of burn victims creates new challenges to surgeons

1920s-1930s

European surgeons Maliniac and Aufricht launch The American Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPRS)

1st division of Plastic Surgery in a public hospital is formed

By the late 1930s The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is created-qualification as plastic surgeon

Maliniac

Aufricht

1940s

The Journal Debuted in 1946 Forum for Plastic Surgeons to share their

knowledge/discoveries

Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation (PSEF) Founded in1948 Supports education on plastic surgery to surgeons and

public Awards scholarships & prizes Seminars and meetings Exchange programs w/physicians around the world

1950s

ASPRS is fully board certified Communication with the public heightens

Television New innovations

Latest innovation is internal wiring for facial fractures

Being tested in hospitals in Korea

1960s

Public exposure increases number of procedures being performed

Silicone development Initially used to treat skin

imperfections 1962 begins usage as breast implant

device

1970s & 1980s Personal advertising of surgeons is banned Specialties and individual procedures start

getting marketed through brochures Flame retardant children’s clothing is developed

Plastic Surgery

1990s Internet

Websites for surgeons to post questions, get answers and share procedure info

ASPRS becomes ASPS to assure that plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery are the same

Silicone Implant Crisis due to complications Links to illness The Horrors of Breast Implants is released nationally on TV Toll free hotline is set up regarding silicone implant safety Silicone implants can only be used for reconstruction under clinical

studies

Health Care Reform Insurance companies are required to cover cost of reconstruction breast

surgery for women who have undergone a mastectomy

2000s Botox approval: average 1.1 million injections/year

10 deaths leads to 3 month pause of office based surgery

Improved Public Perceptions Magazines and TV shows

By 2006 16.2 million+ surgeries are being performed annually

Reintroduction of Silicone Implant General patient usage is approved in 2006 after tests

prove no connection to illness

Future Challenges

Reducing surgical scarring and patient recovery time

Scar-less healing takes place in the womb, researchers are trying to unlock the secrets of the growth factor environment of it to apply to wounds