Chuck Berry, Aristotle, Isaac Newton, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, Ray Charles and many others have shaped our lives by adding music, science and government to our everyday existence. In recent years, plastic surgery has become a commonplace aspect of our existence— and it, too, has it’s own history and “founding fathers.”
A Brief History of Plastic Surgery
The history of plastic surgery dates back to Hindu times when the author Sushruta wrote about the reconstruction of earlobes and noses by using skin from other areas like the cheek.
Oribasius, the Byzantine physician of the 4th century, wrote at length about surgical techniques such as using flaps to avoid distortion of the features of the face. He also wrote about the process of creating tensionless suture lines and was noted in plastic surgery history for his writings on wound management and facial reconstruction.
Early Plastic Surgery in America
The U.S. first plastic surgeon was Dr. John Mettauer. He performed the first palate operation in 1827 with medical instruments he invented himself.
In 1891, John Roe, an American doctor, was the first to offer an aesthetic approach to rhinoplasty (plastic surgery of the nose). Roe was known for his demonstrating to people, who were unhappy with their appearances, the art of plastic surgery and how it could be useful.
During World War I, there was a grave need for doctors to perform plastic surgery procedures for soldiers who lost ears, a nose, and lips needing reconstruction. At this time, plastic surgery was becoming slightly more common in society.
Founding Fathers
Two European immigrant surgeons named Gustave Aufricht and Jacques Maliniac defined plastic surgery by founding a society that would ultimately pave the way for the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS).
Dr. Maliniac was born in 1889 in Warsaw, Poland and studied with leading plastic surgeons on the continent. He immigrated to the United States in 1923, settling in New York City where he opened a private practice. At that time, he was instrumental in convincing City Hospital administrators to set up the first division of plastic surgery in a public hospital.
Dr. Aufricht was from Budapest, Hungary and was born in 1894. He treated wounded soldiers, studied with doctors in Europe and arrived in New York in 1923. In 1946, Dr. Aufricht launched the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons sharing all his knowledge and discoveries.
In 1931, Dr. Maliniac founded the American Society of Plastic Surgeons after being rebuffed by the American Association of Oral Surgeons. There were originally ten members, and Dr. Aufricht joined shortly after its founding.
Plastic Surgery Today
Plastic surgery today is essentially divided into 2 categories: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in the United States alone there were over 11.5 million cosmetic procedures completed during 2006—a 446% increase since 1997.
With the inception of organizations such as the ASPS, given to us by the founding fathers in the plastic surgery field, we can now receive top quality treatment; gain optimum results and be educated about our choices. There are so many options now because the “stage was set” by people in our past who have sculpted our plastic surgery future.
(Article by: Donna Corrado)
Considering plastic surgery? Learn more about your options by contacting a board certified plastic surgeon near you.