Why is it called PLASTIC surgery and Other Interesting Facts

This is Day 2 in our Week of Guest Speakers for the Benefit of all the Spa Professionals and Aestheticians that turn to us for ongoing industry education. We hope our special guest articles teach, motivate and inspire you!

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Why is it called plastic surgery?  The word plastic comes to us from the Greek word plastikos which means to mold or shape.”  Many of the early plastic surgery procedures were performed to close difficult wounds for war casualties or serious illness. Replacing tissue lost due to an injury or to cancer, these procedures often involved formation of a skin flap to mold or reshape the defect to approximate the original shape, so even though no plastic is used, the word plastic seemed appropriate.

Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery: The Difference

Another interesting question people often ask is what is the difference between cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery?  Both are in the realm of plastic surgery.  Cosmetic surgery procedures are performed to reshape structures of the body to improved the appearance and self-esteem of the patient.  For that reason cosmetic surgery is considered elective and is usually not covered by the patent’s insurance.  Reconstructive surgery is performed to repair abnormal structures of the body. These may be caused by developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, congenital defections, tumors or disease. Health insurance usually covers reconstructive surgery.  Then there are the gray areas that require special consideration by the insurance company. The patient’s condition can determine whether or not some procedures are actually reconstructive or cosmetic.  Eyelid surgery for instance usually is performed for cosmetic improvement, but it can be considered reconstructive if the eyelids are drooping severely and causing vision obstruction.

The Romans and Ancient Indians Performed Plastic Surgery

Most of us think of plastic surgery as just being part of the modern world, but it actually dates back many centuries.  In ancient India skin grafts were used for reconstruction.  Also the Romans repaired damaged ears of soldiers injured in battle. But what we think of as modern plastic surgery had to await the arrival of anesthetics before it began to be practiced widely, and that was primarily inspired by war.

Wars Created Plastic Surgery Advances

One  of the pioneers in America of plastic surgery was Dr. John Peter Mettanuere, who performed a cleft palate operation in the year 1827.  A physician from New Zealand, Sir Harold Gillies, developed many techniques during World War I and is considered the father of modern plastic surgery.  His cousin and former student, Archibald McIndoe, was a pioneer in World War II treating RAF air crews who were injured and often burned. Today’s plastic surgery patients often take for granted the advances made by these pioneers who had in mind trying to bring normalcy to the lives of those who were born with serious deformities, or were injured in combat.

Article Compliments of: Grossman Plastic Surgery (Beauty Doc Blog)