Nose Surgery in Ancient Times

Rhinoplasty is now one of the most popular forms of ENT surgery with more and more people opting to undergo the procedure each year. The popularity of the procedure is mainly attributed to the excellent results that modern rhinoplasty surgery can produce and that many people are unhappy with the appearance of their nose.

 

The word rhinoplasty is derived from the Greek words ‘rhinos’ meaning nose, and ‘plastikos’ meaning to give shape. Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that should ideally be performed by an appropriately qualified surgeon, usually an ENT Surgeon, to re-shape the nose for improved function or appearance. Nose surgery performed for functional purposes such as correcting breathing problems, birth defects and nose injuries is termed as reconstructive rhinoplasty, whilst surgery performed for aesthetic reasons is known as cosmetic rhinoplasty.

 

Sushruta – The Father of Plastic Surgery

 

One of the earliest known texts on surgery was written in around 500 BC by Sushruta, an Ayurvedic physician from ancient India. Often regarded as the ‘father of plastic surgery’, Sushruta authored many treatises on a wide range of medical and surgical procedures ranging from the administration of anaesthesia, orthopaedic surgery, dental surgery, general surgery and plastic surgery. He first described reconstructive nose surgery in his text ‘Sushruta Samhita’.

 

Amputation of the nose tip was a common form of punishment for criminal offences in ancient India. The deformed nose served as a warning to others about the crime committed by a particular convict. Sushruta and his students began experimenting with various skin reconstruction and surgical techniques to reconstruct damaged noses of such convicts. Later on, they also used their skills to treat swordsmen and soldiers from the local armies who suffered from nose injuries in battle.

 

The surgical procedures established by Sushruta more than 2,500 years ago were used in India up to the late 18th century. Many ancient Indian texts were translated into other languages, and spread to European civilizations through trade relations. Various modern scholars were fascinated by these surgical techniques, and published the information they obtained in publications such as the Gentleman’s Magazine. Some of Sushruta’s nose surgery techniques, like ‘forehead flap rhinoplasty’, are still performed by modern ENT surgeons, in a similar fashion, even today.

 

ENT London is a leading ENT clinic in London that specialises in rhinoplasty. Our highly skilled ENT surgeons are amongst UK’s leading experts in nose surgery. We, at ENT London are firmly committed to providing the highest standard of patient care, and believe in a holistic approach to patient care.

 

ENT London is one of UK’s leading rhinoplasty clinics, and can be contacted on 0207 580 6970.

 

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