Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty to reconstruct facial and body defects. The goal of these surgeries can be reconstructive or cosmetic/aesthetic. Examples of reconstructive surgery are craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery and the treatment of burns (Garg, 2013). While cosmetic surgery is performed to improve a patient’s appearance, reconstructive surgery aims at reconstructing a part of the body or improving its function
First reconstructive surgery techniques can be traced in India by 800 BC (MSN Encarta, 2008). In this century, Sushruta, an Indian physician, carried out successful plastic surgeries (Dwivedi et.al, 2007). Sir Harold Gillies is considered as the father of modern plastic surgery. During First World War, he used many modern techniques of facial surgery to treat soldiers who suffered from facial disfigures (Chambers, 2009). According to the discovered historical evidences in Zabol-Burned City (in southeastern part of Iran), reconstruction of body defects in its primitive forms was performed more than 5000 years ago in Iran.
Recent progress in plastic surgery has been remarkable and many new techniques have been developed. Just like in many other countries, a rapid development of plastic surgery is observable in Iran. A great number of the experienced physicians in plastic surgery and affordable cost of treatment have made Iran a good choice for plastic/cosmetic surgery.