The evolution of oculoplastic operations

Abstract

SummaryAlthough oculoplastic surgery has only recently been recognized as a subspecialty, the early origins of the interrelationship between plastic surgery and ophthalmology, trace back to the 22th century B.C. Minor eyelid operations performed by Babylonian and Assyrian physicians as well as eyebrow stitching descriptions, contained in the Egyptian Papyrus, serve as the earliest surgical attempts at oculoplastic surgery. Other ancient civilizations also provided accurate descriptions of a number of eyelid diseases, including their surgical treatment. During the Greco‐Roman period, several local flaps, e.g. the double‐pedicled and the V‐Y advancement flap, were first described. Byzantine physicians compiled, standardized and enriched the medical knowledge of their Greco‐Roman predecessors, contributing with the surgical treatment of trichiasis, lagophthalmos, ectropion, hydatids, epicanthus, pterygia, lacrimal fistulae and eyelid adhesions. The following centuries, a variety of surgical techniques were developed. Thus, modern oculoplastic surgeons, have incorporated numerous reconstructive procedures into their practice, ranging from simple local flaps to complicated mucosal or composite flaps and selective microvascular procedures.