Considérations sur l’autoplastie en general et sur l’autoplastie labiale en particular

Montpellier: Ricateau, Hamelin, & Co, 1871. ONLY EDITION. With 4 full-page lithographed plates. Original wrappers bound into recent boards. In excellent condition. Only edition of this rare thesis on skin grafting, particularly the face and lips. The author, a Montpellier surgeon, begins with a historical overview of the autoplastic process dating back to the 15th century, pointing out that while skin grafting on the face be required by medical emergency, a patient’s dissatisfaction with his/her appearance is also a valid reason to undergo the surgery. He then describes cheiloplasty, or cosmetic surgery to reconstruct the lips, and different doctors’ approaches to the procedure. The text concludes with 11 case studies of specific surgeries, 4 of which are illustrated in the plates.