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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2023; 56(06): 477-479
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777364
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Sir Benjamin Keith Rank (1911–2002): A Founding Father and Ambassador of Plastic Surgery

Dinesh Kadam
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, A J Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
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Fortunately for its survival, plastic surgery does not depend on its techniques or methods, which can be learned by anyone. It depends on the skilled and judicious application of these with a sense of artistry beyond the natural capacity of most other surgeons. The future of plastic surgery and its stability as a specialty depends on investment in well-chosen men.

- Sir Benjamin Rank (1974)

Sir Benjamin Rank, the Founder of Plastic Surgery in Australia, was instrumental in establishing and promoting reconstructive surgery in the Asia Pacific region ([Fig. 1]). He established the first formal plastic surgery training center in Melbourne and trained several renowned plastic surgeons across the globe from the early 1950s until over three decades later. He inspired the formation of our association and trained the earlier generation of plastic surgeons in India. He received training from Sir Harold Gillies, worked during the Second World War, and significantly impacted teaching worldwide. His life story is truly inspirational.

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Fig. 1 Sir B.K. Rank. Kt cr 1972, CMG 1955, KStJ 1988, MB, MS, LRCP, FRCS (Eng.), Hon. FRCS (Edin.), FRACS, FACS (Hon), FRCPS (Hon) Canada, DSc (Hon).

Fondly called “Benny,” he was born in 1911 in Heidelberg, Melbourne, Australia, to a family that owned a grain store and mill for a family business. His father was Wreghitt Rank, and his mother was Bessie née Smith.[1] He graduated from medical school with many honors and accolades and completed 2 years of residency at Royal Melbourne Hospital before leaving for the United Kingdom.[1] [2]

Figure Courtesy

[Fig. 1]: https://www.whpeopleshospital.com.au/story-six (The People's Hospital Tales from the Surgeon's table)


[Fig. 2]. https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5f3f4f519930b715980ea40e. (From the collection of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Museum and Archives)


Conflict of Interest

None declared.




Publication History

Article published online:
05 December 2023

© 2023. Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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