Past, present and future in plastic flap surgery: From surgeon to bioengineer driven progress. A personal view

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Plastic surgery flap techniques have progressed significantly over centuries.
• Early advancements were driven by medical professionals' innovations and evolving societal needs.
• Technical progress is increasingly linked to bioscientific engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To trace the historical evolution of flap surgery in plastic surgery.
• To identify key drivers of progress in flap techniques.
• To forecast future directions in plastic flap surgery.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of medical literature and technological advancements in plastic surgery.
• Analysis of the interplay between medical practice, engineering, and societal factors.
• Extrapolation of current trends to predict future surgical capabilities.

Main Results:

• Flap surgery evolved from simple closures to complex reconstructions with improved outcomes.
• Progress has been propelled by both procedural ingenuity and technological innovation.
• Future potential includes highly sophisticated, automated reconstructions like 3D-tissue bioprinting.

Conclusions:

• The trajectory of plastic flap surgery indicates a move towards greater complexity and automation.
• Future advancements will likely integrate advanced bioscientific engineering with clinical needs.
• Anticipated developments suggest a future with reduced reliance on direct surgeon intervention for reconstruction.