Cosmetic surgery, although thought of by many as a 20th century invention, actually developed over millions of years to become one of the most widespread branches of surgery around the world. It has gone beyond the mere reparation of defects and injuries into elective surgery that strives to enhance or improve a person’s natural features or correct perceived/actual aesthetic flaws that do not hinder functioning. Interestingly enough, plastic surgery does not get its name from the plastic-derived substances used in the reshaping of body parts. The term ‘plastic’ actually derived from the Greek word ‘plastikos’, which means ‘to give something shape or form’.
Contemporary society may be consumed by the novelty of cosmetic surgery procedures like breast augmentation and rhinoplasty, but the roots of these now routine surgeries actually stretch back almost 3000 years ago to the ancient Indians and Egyptians. Recovered papyrus texts recount how surgeons even in that primitive age performed reconstructions of lips, noses and ears using skin grafts extracted from the folds of the cheek or forehead.
An astonishing amount of Indians seemed to have been in need of rhinoplasty. Back in the day, noses were seen as and proved very tempting targets in battle. Furthermore, nose amputation was considered a proper penalty for a whole bunch of transgressions, including adultery – which of course led to more severed olfactory organs. The procedure involved the surgeon applying wax to the stump of the nose for moulding and then removing skin form the person’s cheek or forehead and folding it down. Despite the rudimentary nature of this primitive form of rhinoplasty, the operations were amazingly successful, except for some scarring to the area where the skin was grafted from.
Reconstructive surgery flourished for another millennium, until humanity stepped into the shadow of the Dark Ages – an age of barbarity, fear and crippling superstition. Plastic surgery was forbidden due to spiritual and ethical reasons at the same time as hygiene and cleanliness became lesser priorities. Cue the barber-surgeon, primary provider of healthcare to the general public despite his lack of qualifications.
In time the age of bloodletting and opium gave way to the golden era of the Renaissance that brought a swift end to the intellectual deterioration of the Middle Ages. Ancient Greek, Roman and Indian texts allowed modern thinkers to rediscover the knowledge that had been lost through long years of neglect and nescience, although it wouldn’t be until the end of the 18th century before humanity would once again embrace the benefits of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. 19th century developments laid the groundwork for modern plastic surgery. Anaesthesia and a wider understanding of bodily symptoms and antiseptic conditions allowed a variety of procedures including cleft lip repair, true skin grafting and even the first purely aesthetic rhinoplasty and breast augmentation operations.
Fast forward to the atrocities of the First World War. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians were horrifically injured and needed reconstructive surgeries – providing plastic surgeons with ample opportunity to perfect their art that in a sense prepared them for the even greater challenges that would be the result of the Second World War. These pioneers met the hardship and tragedy suffered by their patients with dedication and professionalism and bravely went where no physician had gone before.
The legacy of modern cosmetic surgery can be largely contributed to these doctors. More and more cutting-edge surgical techniques are being perfected daily by means of research, study and practise as the art of cosmetic surgery once again ushers humanity into a new and exciting age.
