Abstract
The special issue on the Bionic Human (8 Feb.) was fascinating. However, the timeline (“Historical highlights in bionics and related medicine,” p. [996][1]) contained one error, dating nasal reconstruction with tissue flaps to 1597 A.D. In ancient India, nasal amputation was a common form of punishment for adulterers, creating a broad need for nasal reconstruction. In a remarkably detailed and rational book written at the time of Vedic medicine, perhaps 1000 B.C., the Sushruta Samhita, nasal reconstruction using tissue flaps either obtained from the face or forearm is described ([1][2]). The first use of a mechanical tissue stapler is also described, intestinal injuries being repaired with the heads of black ants. 1. [↵][3]1. P. S. Sankaran , Sushruta's Contribution to Surgery (Indological Book House, Varanasi, India, 1976). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.295.5557.995 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text
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