Sānubandhen Jèvitah
:
“Sāh anubandhen jèvitah” (through continuity [it] lives) (In Sanskrit)
The ancient Indian surgeon Sushruta (700–600 BC) originally described the value of
pedicle for the viability of flaps. He utilized pedicle-based cheek flaps, “ Sānubandhen Jèvitah,” to reconstruct the nose and ears.[1] This fundamental understanding paved the way for modern-day reconstructive surgery.
In the present context, India, the Land of Sushruta, is taking a lead role as Sānubandhen Jèvitah in propagating the “World Plastic Surgery Day” from this year onwards.
India celebrates the National Day of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery every July
15. After a decade of successful implementation, now July 15 marks World Plastic Surgery
Day. In a recently held American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) Global Summit of
34 national plastic surgery societies, the proposal was introduced by the APSI President
Prof. R.K. Khazanchi. Responding to our president’s solicitation, the ASPS has pronounced
July 15 as the 'World Plastic Surgery Day.' This is indeed a privilege for Indian
counterparts who have taken the initiative from the outset. A global day is an excellent
opportunity for the international plastic surgery community to come together on a
single platform, speak with one voice, and address common issues; to be a springboard
for awareness-raising actions.
National Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Day
In 2011, the then President of APSI, Dr. Raja Sabapathy, mooted this innovative idea
and launched National Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Day.[2] The objective was to generate public awareness about the specialty by conducting
various activities together on a specific day and drawing society's attention. The
response and support to Dr. Sabapathy's call were instant, comprehensive, and nationwide.
Everyone enthusiastically participated and uniquely contributed to the purpose. Individual
surgeons, teaching departments, state and regional associations, and the APSI held
various programs to connect masses and educate them. Many conducted free surgeries,
public awareness programs, street shows, walkathons, lectures, write-ups in print
and social media, and more. The opportunity has been well utilized to organize activities
related to the different fields of plastic surgery and showcase them to the public
at large.
The day also marks the 2nd anniversary of the all-new print version of the IJPS under Thieme Publishers released on July 15, 2019, at AIIMS Delhi by the Director,
Prof Randeep Guleria ([Fig. 1]). The event was followed by an interactive session with the media by Dr. Amresh
Baliarsingh, APSI president, Dr. RK Khazanchi, Vice President, along with AIIMS faculty,
which received wide coverage.
Fig. 1 Release of IJPS new print edition in 2019 at AIIMS, Delhi.
Events at various places across the country have created a domino effect for a positive
change over the years. What was achieved collectively with one voice on a national
scale has been an unmeasured success. Yet, there is much to be desired, considering
the diverse socioeconomic, demographic, and linguistic challenges besides inadequacies
in the healthcare system. The specialty remains poorly understood and riddled with
misconceptions among the people due to various barriers, even to date. Unfortunately,
medical practitioners and the medicos are no exceptions. The true understanding of
the specialty among the medical students is missing. Introduction in the undergraduate
curriculum, rotation postings will help get an orientation and evoke interest to pursue
later.
As an association, we need to design a multipronged strategy to engage with the general
public, the medical fraternity, and social influencers and reach out to the corridors
of powers to affect desired results. With coordinated and sustained efforts, each
of us, as an individual could bring about tremendous change to demonstrate the utility
and spectrum of plastic surgery and facilitate the needy access proper health care.
Surgeons with subspecialty interests, such as hand surgery, aesthetic surgery, cleft
& craniomaxillofacial surgery, burns, microsurgery,and vascular surgery have a crucial
role in promoting and integrating the highly diverse sections of plastic surgery.
As much public perception and awareness, the scientific publications and academic
interactions with a specific peer group of different specialties of common interests
are essential.
With ongoing covid pandemic and restrictions, we will miss holding events to mark
celebrations this year as well. However, this opens up another opportunity to utilize
and communicate effectively through social media,[3] with 3.5 billion users worldwide. The APSI conducted a comprehensive webinar for
the general public in 2020, and more such events from different corners are desired.
Global Day Strategy
Globally over 45,000 plastic surgeons form a formidable community in the health care
system. There are common issues, aspirations, and challenges that require collaborative
efforts and strategies among international peers. Besides providing healthcare, the
progress of specialty, collaborative research, and training are pertinent.
Plastic surgeons are crucial to reducing the global burden of surgical diseases, preventing
death and disability by restoring form and function. Of the 44 essential procedures
listed in the publication of World Bank’s Disease Control Priorities, the plastic
surgery procedures include treatment of injuries, burns, and congenital malformations.[4] However, plastic surgery services across the world are woefully lacking. Five out
of the 7.4 billion population do not have access to reconstructive surgeons.[5] The burden is considerably huge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), lacking
expertise and safe and appropriate medical access. The role of high-income countries
supplementing the capacity building for LMICs to match the global standard is now
the focus. With the international outreach approach, many areas such as burns, cleft,
and craniofacial surgery have achieved sustainable long-term collaborative care.[6]
The International Confederation of Plastic Surgery Societies (ICOPLAST), an international
collaborative body, aimed to address the growing issues affecting all plastic surgeons.[7] With over 25,000 members from 66 countries, ICOPLAST needs to play a significant
role in promoting this day. The July 15 is non-controversial and does not endorse
any place, country, or historical event nor coincides with any notable event.[2]
Online interactions during the current pandemic have virtually erased frontiers and
distances and enabled the free flow of knowledge. It should help the entire international
plastic surgeons as a community and meet the challenges faced by them. World Plastic
Surgery Day is the right occasion to come together and build up the momentum toward
the change we desire – to benefit the patient, plastic surgery as a profession, and
the welfare of fellow plastic surgeons.
