Rhinoplasty in Ancient India
Plastic surgery does not get its name because plastic was used to reshape noses and cheek bones .The plastic in plastic surgery actually has its root in the Greek word plastikos meaning to give something shape or form. Evidence exists that cosmetic surgery was done by ancient physicians in India eight centuries before Christ.There were a surprisingly large number of noses in India that needed to be reconstructed. Noses were considered symbols of pride, therefore they proved to be quite tempting targets during warfare. Besides the multiple damages to Indian noses as a result of warfare, other noses required surgical repair following the damage brought on by punishment for legal transgressions. Amputation of the nose was considered proper and just punishment for a multitude of offenses, including adultery.The roots of ancient Indian surgery go back to more than 4000 years ago. Sushrutha, one of the earliest surgeons of recorded history (600 B.C.) is believed to be the first individual to describe Rhinoplasty. The detailed description of the Rhinoplasty operation by Sushrutha is amazingly meticulous, comprehensive and relevant today.
‘Sushrutha Samhitha\’ is considered to be the most advanced compilation of surgical practices prevalent in India around two thousand millennia ago. In‘Sushruta Samhitha\’, Sushruta emphasized all the basic principles of plastic surgery and vividly described numerous operations in various fields of surgery with significant contributions to Plastic Surgery.
