Plastic surgery has become popularised in recent times with TV shows such as Extreme Makeover and Dr 90210, and articles about who’s had what done in Hollywood. However, this idea of plastic surgery is a long way from its reconstructive and humanitarian origins.
The first record of plastic surgical procedures was in India around 600BC, with nasal reconstructions following nasal amputation, which was a common form of punishment at the time. We have Italian duelling injuries and the Napoleonic Wars to thank for the rise of the ‘flap’ procedure where we take tissue from one part of the body to repair a wound that would otherwise not heal. Then the unprecedented number of facial injuries and burns during WWI and WWII gave rise to a plethora of reconstructive innovations within the speciality and a critical mass of well trained and experienced surgeons who would continue to make technological advancements and set up training centres and treatment clinics around the world. Operating for more aesthetic or cosmetic reasons only emerged after the World Wars.
With increasing demand for the kind of procedures, you might now commonly associate with plastic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and blepharoplasty (eye lids). Today plastic surgery in ‘real life’ is still primarily reconstructive (e.g., flap procedures following trauma and skin cancer removal, tendon and nerve repair in hands, cleft palate and craniofacial (skull) repairs in children, and breast reconstruction following cancer treatment), in partnership with aesthetic procedures.
History makes it clear that Plastic Surgery grew out of a series of restorative problems that required creative and innovative surgical procedures to correct. So, why aren’t Plastic Surgeons known as Reconstructive Surgeons then? What’s the ‘Plastic’ bit about?
The term ‘Plastic Surgeon’ has been popularised by the kind of tabloid TV shows I mentioned earlier, and many people believe that the ‘plastic’ part of plastic surgery refers to a ‘fake’ or ‘superficial’ view of aesthetically focused surgery. However, the word plastic is actually derived from the Greek word ‘plastikos’, which means to shape or mould. The ability to operate with this aesthetic in mind is a skill developed through intensive training and years of on the job experience with difficult reconstructive procedures. In fact, all Plastic Surgeons finish their surgical training and graduate with the title of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
It’s more of a mouthful but better reflects the marriage of both aspects of the speciality: to restore form and function (reconstruction) and enhance appearance (aesthetics). If you have any questions about Plastic Surgery you would like me to answer in this column, email Avery Plastic Surgery at info@averyplasticsurgery.com.au. Avery Plastic Surgery is located at 31-33 Watt Street, Newcastle 2300. For more information visit www.averyplasticsurgery.com.au or call the team on 4002 4150.