Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (3rd Edition)

Author: Song Ruyao, Fang Zhanglin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-05-01
Features: Now, plastic surgery is divided into two specialties: reconstructive plastic surgery and cosmetic plastic surgery, the latter abbreviated as cosmetic surgery. The world-renowned plastic surgery master, Professor D. Ralph Millard, said, "Cosmetic surgery is a profound and delicate specialty. It not only aims to restore the normal appearance and function of the face and body but also requires them to be even more beautiful than normal." Cosmetic plastic surgery officially became a specialty worldwide only about 40 years ago. However, for a long time, both surgeons and patients, as well as the general public, believed that all plastic surgery results should be aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, plastic surgery was closely related to or encompassed cosmetic surgery from the very beginning. Anyone discussing the growth of cosmetic plastic surgery cannot avoid the development of plastic surgery. From the early 20th century to the present, there have been ten major events in plastic surgery and cosmetic plastic surgery, in chronological order and content as follows:
(1) The occurrence of two major wars, the First World War and the Second World War. Both wars resulted in a large number of wounded soldiers with disfigured appearances, disabled limbs, and the loss of function in vital organs, including reproductive organs. Most of them were young soldiers who had just entered the world, and from either a patriotic or humanitarian perspective, they had to be treated. As a result, plastic surgery, including cosmetic surgery, became exceptionally important.
(2) Due to the need for treating war injuries, many highly talented surgeons engaged in this specialty and completed their work at a high level.
(3) After the invention of endotracheal intubation anesthesia, many safe and effective anesthetic techniques and drugs were developed.
(4) After the invention of the skin grafting machine, many refined plastic and cosmetic surgery instruments appeared.
(5) Plastic and cosmetic surgeons, who had always emphasized surgical technique, began to focus on the study and application of anatomy.
(6) Various anti-infective drugs were continuously developed, ensuring greater success in surgeries.
(7) The efforts of preventive medicine specialists and public health workers over the years led to fundamental changes in diseases in society. For example, various surgical emergencies that previously required surgery have been greatly reduced. Additionally, in recent years, labor protection systems and measures have become increasingly, resulting in a significant decrease in industrial accidents. As a result, many surgeons who had long focused on basic surgery have turned to plastic and cosmetic surgery.
(8) The average lifespan of people worldwide has, many middle-aged and elderly men and women seek cosmetic plastic surgery to maintain or restore a youthful appearance for a more joyful life.
(9) With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, an increasing number of people are able to enjoy cosmetic surgery treatments.
(10) After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, our country implemented an open-door policy, and the trend of Western and developed countries valuing cosmetic plastic surgery rapidly spread, leading to widespread attention from people across all social strata.
The above ten major events demonstrate that due to demand, the social status of plastic and cosmetic surgery has greatly improved compared to the 19th century; and due to the participation of many talented surgeons, its level has reached an unprecedented high, surpassing the era when "secret doctors" dominated the field in the last century. With excellent anesthetic methods, refined surgical instruments, and various anti-infective drugs, plastic and cosmetic surgery has become a safe, reliable, and highly effective surgical specialty. The last of the ten major events—the beginning of China's focus on cosmetic plastic surgery—is particularly significant. As China has the world's largest population (about 1/5 of the global total), such widespread attention to cosmetic plastic surgery will have an immeasurable impact. Despite this, cosmetic plastic surgery has only recently been formally recognized in Chinese society, and the field is still in its early stages. Like any other endeavor, development requires a solid foundation. At this initial stage of Chinese cosmetic plastic surgery, I believe the following four points should be noted.
First, cosmetic surgery is a specialty with strong technical and artistic elements. However, it remains a surgical specialty and must always adhere to surgical principles, advancing on the path of science. The past of foreign cosmetic surgeons, who neglected science and were consequently excluded by the scientific community, must be avoided at all costs.
Second, medical workers engaged in cosmetic surgery must uphold the honor of their specialty, always prioritize the interests of patients, and serve them wholeheartedly. Only in this way can cosmetic plastic surgery become a respected discipline in both society and the medical community. It is absolutely forbidden to act as "secret doctors" who exploit the name of cosmetic surgery for personal gain.
Third, China has a large population but relatively fewer medical workers, and even fewer who are truly skilled in cosmetic plastic surgery. To develop this field and benefit the Chinese people, we cannot follow the path of foreign countries, such as the United States, where plastic and cosmetic surgeons are abundant and treatment costs are high. We must forge our own path, embracing "five lakes and four seas" by recognizing and uniting all doctors with medical ethics and a commitment to science, including oral surgeons with an interest and expertise in cosmetic surgery.
Fourth, we must not, like some cosmetic surgeons in other countries, keep information secret. Instead, we should exchange experiences to learn from each other and improve together.
In the autumn of 1948, after completing my studies in the United States, I began working in plastic and cosmetic surgery at West China University of Medical Sciences in Chengdu. At that time, my main focus was on double eyelid surgery and "hook-nose" plastic surgery. Since then, I have continued to perform cosmetic surgery treatments for over 40 years. Over the years, many young colleagues have suggested that I summarize my experience in this field and write it down. Due to a lack of time and suitable secretarial assistance, this task was postponed for a long time. In the summer of 1988, I visited the Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Hospital of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission and was delighted to see that the 30 or so patients who had undergone surgery there had excellent results, completely on par with those achieved by renowned cosmetic surgery centers abroad. I was very pleased to see that China's young generation had already achieved such success at the outset, and that by the end of this century, Chinese cosmetic plastic surgery could very well become a leader in the world.
At the initiative of Hospital Director Fang Zhanglin of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Hospital, Vice Hospital Director Ding Zhilin, and Vice Hospital Director He Ping of Beijing Fourth Hospital, along with Director Zhuang Hongxing and Director Song Yeguang of our hospital, I participated in the writing of this book. It is necessary to point out that an important feature of this book is that the surgical methods given positive reviews were personally performed and proven effective by the authors. Those not personally practiced are not included. We consider this book a reference, with the main characteristics of authenticity and depth, rather than a textbook that covers everything comprehensively. Fortunately, there are many experts both domestically and internationally who have written numerous on cosmetic surgery. If readers need further information, they can consult those works. Of course, the authors will also add some necessary content in future editions.
Additionally, many foreign plastic surgery books, especially those on cosmetic plastic surgery, include numerous large pre- and postoperative photos after each surgical procedure. Those books use excellent paper, printing, and plate-making techniques, truly reflecting the authors' rich medical experience. However, the cost and price of those books are significantly higher, making them unaffordable for many medical workers. This book, by listing surgical methods that are currently standard and widely used worldwide, does not need photos to prove their correctness. Therefore, we intentionally omitted pre- and postoperative photos to reduce readers' unnecessary financial burden.
We have referenced and quoted relevant domestic and international materials in this book and express our gratitude to the original authors.