The primacy of the Vianeo family in the invention of nasal reconstruction technique.

The birth of plastic surgery is identified with the history of rhinoplasty, which was practiced in ancient India when nose amputations were a common practice. Nose reconstruction was the most frequent surgical operation required in India at that time, and it was based on the use of a forehead flap and called an Indian method. The revolution of this technique took place in the south of Italy in the 15th century with the introduction of "the Italian method" invented by 2 families: the Brancas from Sicily and the Vianeos from Calabria. In our opinion, many questions remain as to why the Branca and Vianeo families began nose reconstruction; how and from whom they learned this technique; and which of the 2 families was first to practice it. Gustavo Branca has been always considered as the inventor of the Italian method. Historical references date Brancas in the first half of 15th century and Vianeos in the second half of the same century, but the dates can be inverted. Vianeos are no more the successor, but they are contemporary or immediately predecessors because by our documentation Vincenzo Vianeo, first surgeon of his family, performed rhinoplasty operation in the early years of the 15th century.