Varazdat Gazandyan

Varazdat Gazandyan

Plastic surgeon
Date of Birth: 18.03.1879
Country: Turkey

Content:
  1. Vartan Kazanjian: Pioneer of Plastic Surgery
  2. Early Life and Education
  3. Innovations in Facial Surgery
  4. World War I and the "Yankee Hospital"
  5. Harvard Professor and Legacy

Vartan Kazanjian: Pioneer of Plastic Surgery

Vartan Kazanjian (1879-1962) was an innovative plastic surgeon who made significant contributions to the field of maxillofacial surgery, the forerunner of plastic surgery.

Early Life and Education

Born in Samsun, Turkey, Kazanjian immigrated to the United States at the age of 12. He initially worked at a cable factory in Worcester, Massachusetts, while studying English. He later enrolled in Harvard Dental School, graduating in 1905.

Innovations in Facial Surgery

Kazanjian developed a keen interest in upper jaw surgery. He established a separate clinic dedicated to treating maxillofacial injuries, becoming the first specialist in the field. His patients achieved remarkable results, earning him recognition as a pioneer in plastic surgery.

World War I and the "Yankee Hospital"

In 1915, Harvard University recruited Kazanjian to join a team of orthopedists sent to support Allied hospitals in Europe during World War I. He served at the Yankee Hospital in France, where he established a specialized clinic for facial wounds. Together with his colleagues, he performed over 2,500 surgeries in two years, earning him the moniker "wonder surgeon."

Harvard Professor and Legacy

After the war, Kazanjian returned to Harvard, where he became a professor in 1922. He created the first course on plastic surgery and trained numerous students in the field. He also published several landmark textbooks on plastic surgery.

For over 50 years, Kazanjian collected plaster casts of bones removed during his surgeries. This extensive collection, known as the "Kazanjian Hall," serves as a testament to his remarkable contributions to maxillofacial surgery.

© BIOGRAPHS