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India occupies a pre-eminent position in the history of plastic surgery. The beginnings of Plastic Surgery in India can be traced back to the medical chronicle Sushruta Samhita written around 600 BC which describes the surgical reconstruction of amputated noses with skin from the forehead. In the spreading of plastic surgery India played a crucial role, with Indian plastic surgery procedures for reconstructive nasal procedures passing on to the Islamic world in the 10th century, and from there to Europe with the Arabic invasion of Sicily during the 9th to 12th centuries. Plastic surgery in India today is an advanced medical sub-specialty dedicated to the surgical restoration or cosmetic enhancement (Aesthetic Cosmetic Surgery) of patients' facial and body parts injured or disfigured by trauma, burns, disease, developmental abnormalities or congenital defects. The era of modern plastic surgery in India was perhaps ushered in by none other than Sir Harold Gillies, considered by many to be the father of modern plastic surgery, who developed many of the techniques of modern plastic surgery. The Plastic Surgery section of the Association of Surgeons of India was formally inaugurated by Sir Harold during his numerous trips to India to train Indian plastic surgeons in the finer aspects of modern reconstructive plastic surgery. With the advent of medical tourism, India has emerged as a major destination for reconstructive and cosmetic (aesthetic) plastic surgery for patients from around the world. World-class medical and surgical facilities and the availability of internationally trained plastic surgeons are two factors that have helped India become a preferred location for Plastic Surgery procedures in connection with medical tourism. In addition, the costs involved in having plastic surgery procedures performed in India is much lower than in developed countries. Therefore, Plastic Surgery in India today is world-class, top-quality and affordable. Eminent plastic and reconstructive surgeons with vast international exposure like Dr. Susheel Cleatus ensure that plastic surgery procedures and plastic surgery techniques performed in India are on par with international practices. Indian plastic surgery is mature, well-developed, and internationally respected today. Patients from around the world choose to have their plastic surgery procedures performed in India. And Indian reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgeons have perfected the craft of plastic surgery to a great extent. In addition, Plastic Surgeons in India have made significant contributions through devising new instruments, original research and publications in International journals. As India surges ahead on its way to unprecedented economic and social development, plastic surgeons in India have seized the opportunity to leverage the advancements in modern plastic surgery for the benefit of the masses who stand in need of reconstructive plastic surgery. And as the prosperous middle classes seek out the benefits of esthetic surgery to enhance the quality of their lives in larger numbers, Plastic Surgery in India can be said to have truly arrived. |
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