History of plastic surgery: sir Harold Gillies, a pioneer of reconstructive plastic surgery

Abstract

Historically, wars have been among the greatest catalysts for advances in medicine in general, and surgery in particular. Without doubt, the greatest practitioner of plastic surgery in the early decades of the twentieth century was Sir Harold Delf Gillies, a New Zealander living in England, who advocated the treatment of patients with facial injuries in the context of the First World War. This article examines Gillies' personal life and the legacy he left for modern plastic and reconstructive surgery; many of his teachings are timeless and serve as an inspiration for the surgeons of today.

Keywords

• history of medicine
• surgical reconstructive procedures
• surgery, plastic
• warfare
• trauma