THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL-SOCIETY-OF-AESTHETIC-PLASTIC-SURGERY

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) can loo k back with pride on its 25-year history, begun with the first draft o f constitution and bylaws made in Sao Paulo on October 1-4, 1969, and on its accomplish ment of the goals summarized in the Act of Organizat ion on February 12, 1970, at the, Headquarters of the United Nations, a site chosen to reaffirm the international scope of the Society. The founding and following executive committee members, always backed by t he General Assemblies, guided the Society on a straight path overcomin g birth pains and resisting human temptations. These are the important goals achieved: 1) ''Aesthetic surgery'' has been maintained within ' 'plastic surgery,'' as it was in the mind of the founding members. The Society soon became the first chapter of the IPRS, which recently inc orporated aesthetic surgery into its own name and logo: IPRAS; 2) Inte rchange of knowledge has been increased through 12 congresses; 3) In 4 2 postgraduate courses, teaching was spread to our colleagues and thei r residents worldwide, especially improving aesthetic surgery in devel oping countries. The visiting professors contributed as ambassadors of the Society. 4) New techniques and the results of experience and rese arch were published, first in microform, and later in our outstanding Journal, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 5) A history of aesthetic surgery and a five-volume textbook, written by prominent members of the Societ y, were edited. As a result, aesthetic surgery has become a respected field of medicine, represented by a responsible body of plastic surgeo ns.