Plastic surgery
The Edwin Smith papyrus, an Egyptian medical text, mentions treatments for repairing a broken nose. This document dates back to ancient times and represents one of the earliest recorded instances of surgical intervention on facial features. In India, reconstructive techniques were being performed by 800 BC. Sushruta, a physician from that era, made significant contributions to plastic surgery and cataract operations during the 6th century BC. Roman scholars like Aulus Cornelius Celsus documented surgical methods in the 1st century AD. They used simple techniques such as repairing damaged ears around the 1st century BC. Religious restrictions prevented them from dissecting human bodies or animals, so their knowledge relied entirely on Greek texts. Arabs practiced plastic surgery during the Abbasid Caliphate in 750 AD. The Branca family of Sicily and Gaspare Tagliacozzi in Bologna learned these Indian methods. Al-Zahrawi, an Arab physician, described using silk thread sutures for better cosmetic results. He also detailed what is thought to be the first reduction mammaplasty for gynaecomastia management.
World War I created trench warfare which led to a rapid increase in facial and head mutilations among soldiers. Harold Gillies, a New Zealand otolaryngologist working in London, dedicated an entire hospital to reconstructing these injuries. He established a facial injury ward at Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot, later upgrading it to Sidcup hospital in 1917. More than 11,000 operations were performed on over 5,000 men with severe facial wounds. Gillies introduced skin grafts to help patients feel less horrified when looking in mirrors. His cousin Archibald McIndoe joined the practice in 1930 and treated aircrew burns at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. McIndoe developed walking-stalk skin grafts and discovered that immersion in saline promoted healing for extensive burn victims. He formed the Guinea Pig Club at Queen Victoria Hospital where members included Richard Hillary, Bill Foxley, and Jimmy Edwards. These radical treatments focused not just on physical repair but also social reintegration back into normal life.
Plastic surgery divides into two main categories: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery covers specialties like craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery, and burn treatment. It focuses on restoring body parts or improving function. In contrast, cosmetic surgery aims solely to improve physical appearance. Aesthetic surgery includes facial and body procedures designed to enhance overall look. Burn surgery occurs in phases with acute treatment followed by reconstructive work after wounds heal. Pediatric plastic surgery treats birth defects such as cleft lip and palate or syndactyly webbing of fingers. Hand surgery addresses chronic diseases and peripheral nerve problems like carpal tunnel syndrome. Microsurgery transfers tissue pieces to reconstruction sites while reconnecting blood vessels. Breast reconstruction often follows mastectomy to recreate natural shape lost during cancer removal. Ethnic plastic surgery changes attributes often considered a way of passing within different cultural contexts.
In 2014 nearly 16 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States alone. The number doubled since the start of the century. By 2020 fifteen point six million procedures occurred with rhinoplasties leading the list. Rhinoplasty accounted for 15.2 percent of all surgical procedures that year according to American Society for Plastic Surgeons data. Blepharoplasty made up 14 percent while rhytidectamy facelifts comprised 10 percent. Liposuction represented 9.1 percent of total surgeries. Silicone implants appeared in 84 percent of breast augmentations in 2020 compared to saline at 16 percent. Ninety-two percent of cosmetic procedures involved women in 2014 rising from 88 percent in 2001. Eighty-one percent of patients were Caucasian people based on 2010 survey results. Asia became home to biggest markets including China India and South Korea. Requests increased significantly after COVID-19 began possibly due to videoconferencing usage. Estimates showed ten percent rise in US and twenty percent increase in France during pandemic period.
All surgery carries risks including hematoma nerve injury infection scarring implant failure and end organ damage. Breast implants can rupture causing many complications. A study by Eisenberg involving 4761 augmentation mammaplasty patients found overfilling saline implants reduced rupture-deflation rate to 1.83 percent at eight years post-implantation. The FDA stated in 2011 that one out of five patients receiving breast implants would need removal within ten years. Common complications include bleeding blood clots and poor wound healing. Infection remains a constant threat requiring careful monitoring throughout recovery periods. Scarring occurs when incisions heal improperly or become infected. Nerve damage may result in loss of sensation or movement in treated areas. Implant failure often requires additional surgeries to correct issues. End organ damage refers to harm affecting vital systems like lungs kidneys or heart depending on procedure type. Patients must weigh these dangers against potential benefits before proceeding with any operation.
Researchers believe plastic surgery obsession links to psychological disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder. Two percent of people have BDD in the United States while fifteen percent of cosmetic surgeon patients show signs. Half of those with the disorder remain unpleased after surgery outcomes. BDD can lead to suicide in some individuals suffering from the condition. Procedures do not treat BDD and can ultimately worsen problems if underlying causes go unidentified. Increased use of apps like Snapchat and Facetune identified as potential triggers for this disorder. A phenomenon called Snapchat dysmorphia describes requests for surgery resembling edited versions seen through filters. Instagram banned augmented reality filters depicting cosmetic surgery in response to detrimental trends. Some physicians refuse further surgeries leading patients toward dangerous do-it-yourself injections. These self-administered procedures face extreme safety risks without professional oversight. The psychological root usually remains unidentified making treatment even more difficult than physical repairs alone.
Common questions
When did Sushruta perform plastic surgery in India?
Sushruta performed reconstructive techniques and cataract operations during the 6th century BC. This physician from ancient India made significant contributions to the field of plastic surgery.
How many operations were performed by Harold Gillies on soldiers?
More than 11,000 operations were performed on over 5,000 men with severe facial wounds at Sidcup hospital established in 1917. Harold Gillies dedicated an entire hospital to reconstructing injuries caused by World War I trench warfare.
What percentage of cosmetic procedures involved women in 2014?
Ninety-two percent of cosmetic procedures involved women in 2014 according to American Society for Plastic Surgeons data. This figure rose from 88 percent in 2001 before reaching that level.
Why do patients need breast implant removal within ten years?
The FDA stated in 2011 that one out of five patients receiving breast implants would need removal within ten years due to complications like rupture or deflation. Common issues include bleeding blood clots poor wound healing infection scarring nerve damage and end organ damage.
How does Snapchat dysmorphia affect plastic surgery requests?
Snapchat dysmorphia describes requests for surgery resembling edited versions seen through filters which can lead to body dysmorphic disorder. Two percent of people have BDD in the United States while fifteen percent of cosmetic surgeon patients show signs of this condition.