Facial plastic surgery has come a long way since medieval times. Now, let’s take a look at some of the notable facial plastic surgery milestones from medieval times to present day.
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Italian Surgeon Performs Nose Grafting
Italian surgeon Gaspare Tagliacozzi performed nose grafting during the 16th century. He used skin flaps of the upper arm to treat saddle nose deformities.
French Surgeon Coins the Term “Plastic” Surgery
French surgeon and anatomist Pierre Desault is credited with creating the term “plastic” surgery. In the 1790s, Desault used the Greek word “plastikos” to describe a procedure to correct facial deformities.
Anesthesia and Antisepsis Lead to Safe, Effective Facial Plastic Surgeries
Anesthesia and antisepsis were introduced in the 19th century. These practices led to facial plastic surgery safety improvements and new surgical techniques.
German Plastic Surgeon Standardizes Nose Surgery
German plastic surgeon Dr. Jacques Joseph unveiled a standard technique for rhinoplasty surgery in 1892. Joseph used a “hammer and chisel” technique to break, reshape and repair the bony portion of the nose.
State-of-the-Art Facial Plastic Surgery Technologies Become Available
Piezoelectric instruments were introduced in the 1990s. They use ultra-high frequency vibrations to cut through hard tissue. To date, piezoelectric instruments have been used during chin augmentation and nose job procedures.
Demand for Facial Plastic Surgery Increases
Approximately 15.7 million cosmetic minimally invasive procedures were performed in 2017, up 2% year over year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Among these procedures, the top-five focused on the face.