Given accurate approximation of the wound edges, and freedom from infection and haematoma, epidermal healing of a wound occurs extremely rapidly, but the healing processes which go on in the dermis are much more prolonged and, as far as the ultimate appearance of the resulting scar is concerned, much more important.
Like other surgical specialties, plastic surgery originated through the efforts of a small group of enthusiasts who, by utilising a particular refine-ment of technique, soon raised the standards of surgical craftsmanship within a narrow field to a high pitch of efficiency. Then came the war, and the techniques primarily evolved for hiding facial blemishes and correcting visible deformities were applied with immense success to the treatment of wounds in general.