World Plastic Surgery Day 2024

Dr Palin Khundongbam
In 2011, the concept of National Plastic Surgery Day was first introduced by Dr S. Raja Sabapathy, the then President of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI) to make the common people aware of the importance of the confusing words ”Plastic Surgery” since then India celebrates the National Day of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery every year on July 15. Plastic Surgery originated from India and the date of celebration was chosen in the middle of the year which should not coincide with any other medical conferences or national days. The association also appealed to all plastic surgeons to do one reconstructive surgery free on the day.
The day is now celebrated across the globe as the World Plastic Surgery Day since 2022, making it an excellent opportunity for the international plastic surgery community to come together on a single platform, speak with one voice, and address common issues and to be a springboard for awareness-raising actions.
The theme this year is Surgical Advancement in Plastic Surgery: The Latest Innovations and Recent Trends. The goal of Plastic Surgery 2024 is to provide an excellent program to advance the field of plastic surgery by sharing knowledge and experience of various treatment procedures.
Myths about Plastic Surgery: The word “Plastic” has been very confusing throughout.There have been various misconceptions about plastic surgery all over the world because of the name of the super speciality. “For me, please put a good plastic material”, “After plastic surgery don’t go closer to fire, you will be melted”, “breast implants may burst if you travel by flights” etc.  These are a few of the comments passed by the general population about plastic surgery.
There is nothing to do with plastic material in plastic surgery. The misconception is again compounded by the glamorous movies and dramas. Madhuri Dixit may become Sri Devi within 5 minutes after an accident, that too without any scars and defects. Impossible are shown as possible easily and thus the expectation of the general population is increased. This may cause mismatch between expectation and results.
Again, it is generally believed that plastic surgery is something to do with ‘beauty and glamour’ and monopoly of ‘rich and famous’ which is no longer true.
Origin of Plastic Surgery
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. - Santayana
The word ‘Plastic’ came from the Greek word ‘Plastikos/Plastique’ meaning ‘fit for molding’ as shape and size of our body parts can be changed- like amputated nose is reconstructed from the forehead skin or thumb can be reconstructed from the skin of forearm and groin or breast is reconstructed from the muscle and skin of back etc. Even the bone can be transplanted to another part of the body.
The art and science of plastic surgery originated from India. Amputation of nose was a form of punishment in ancient India. Nose stands out and indicates the personality of an individual. Susruta, an Indian physician in 600 BC, reconstructed the amputated nose from the forehead skin. The technique remains as the gold standard as the skin texture is very similar with that of the nose and is still known as ‘Indian style of Rhinoplasty’. Susruta is regarded as the Father of Plastic Surgery.
Sir Harold Gillies, an ENT surgeon from New Zealand, innovated several surgical techniques and 10 Commandments of Plastic Surgery to repair the WWI injuries especially the facial injuries.  He is regarded as the Father of Modern Plastic Surgery.
Mathew and Nahai – discovered the unique Blood supply of Skin making a variety of skin, muscle and bone flaps possible. Introduction of advanced microscopes has made microsurgical transplantation of tissues in traumas and cancer reconstruction possible.
After much discussion, Plastic Surgery is now defined as a problem-solving surgical discipline and spans the entire body and does not have a defined anatomic area unlike other super specialties and treats both sexes and no age limits.
Plastic surgery is artificially divided into Reconstructive and Aesthetic though the two are overlapped.
Reconstructive surgery is the surgery done on abnormal organs to offer the forms and functions of the organs like Congenital Defects, Limb Trauma, Burn and burn defects, Cancer Reconstruction, Pressure Sores, Maxillofacial surgery, Post Traumatic defects, Micro surgery etc. Cleft lip and palate are done free of cost at Shija Hospitals under Smile Train Inc USA and post burn defects under Burn Healing Foundation.
Cosmetic or Aesthetic Surgery is the surgery done on normal organs to enhance the self-esteem of the individual like Face Lifting, Breast Augmentation and Reduction, Asian and Anti-Aging Eyelid Surgery, Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping), Hair Transplant, LASER, Scar, Tattoo and Mole Excision, Chemical Peel, Dermabrasion etc
These days cosmetic surgery is no longer an exclusive beauty secret of rich and famous. The demand for cosmetic surgeries has increased due to rising incomes, increasing consumer awareness and easy availability of procedures.
Anti-Aging Science: ‘Everybody wants to live longer and look younger.’ No age and sex bar. This is the fundamental desire of human beings who can live 100, 200, 300 …. years. But is it possible? Yes, it is possible. It is up to us. We kill ourselves due to our lifestyles. No age and sex bar. Anti-aging wave is the greatest wave of the century. But unlike tsunamis, the impact is less felt as it has happened in the last two decades.
In the beginning of the 20th century, the average human life span was only 20 years. Development of modern healthcare and knowledge, it is now 70 to 80 years. Many are touching 100. Aging is defined as the collection of degenerative diseases that is largely (70%) influenced by lifestyle and 30% GENETIC. Our ageing is due to chronic inflammation caused by Free Radicals- the culprit. Free radicals are unstable molecules which contain unpaired electrons in their structure. They are very active compounds, which easily induce lipid peroxidation, collagen deterioration, DNA alteration and damage of the cell membrane.
Antioxidants are heterogeneous compounds which stabilize the free radicals and delay the aging process. Among antioxidants we can find vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids and other compounds. The production and stabilization of free radicals is largely controlled by our healthy lifestyle - nutrition, exercise, Yoga, Meditation, Positive Thinking, deep sleep etc. Meditation is proven to lengthen the Telomeres which is responsible for longevity. ‘Ultimately the beauty of mind is the best cosmetic’.
Hormone manipulation may be required to fight the aging process. Stem Cell – may become the Ultimate Anti-Aging Therapy.
Conclusion: Plastic surgery has progressed tremendously in the last 3 decades. Plastic Surgery can restore forms and functions of body parts and lifesaving. Self-esteem of an individual can be increased through plastic surgery. Anti-aging sciences are emerging as the most wanted human innovation of the century.
Comprehensive care is needed for Mind, Body and Spirit for health and beauty. Stem cell research may provide a solution to human longevity. The science and arts of Plastic surgery is now available in Manipur.
Dr Palin is Consultant Plastic Surgeon and CMD, Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Pvt Ltd, Langol and he can be reached at [email protected]