Plastic Surgery in the Second World War

What was the reason for plastic surgery developing during the Second World War?

The increased use of machinery such as aircraft and tanks meant that burn injuries were more common. Surgeons therefore developed new methods to treat them effectively.

What better methods of plastic surgery were developed to treat burns victims in WW2?

Surgeons developed new and better methods of plastic surgery to treat burns victims:

• ❖ Saline, instead of chemicals, was used to treat burns, which improved movement in the area when the burn had healed.
• ❖ The war led to new advances in skin graft methods by transfering healthy skin to an injured area.
• ❖ Penicillin was used to prevent infection when treating burns victims.