World War I (WWI) marked a pivotal turning point in the development of modern plastic and reconstructive surgery. The unprecedented scale of facial and craniofacial injuries created by trench warfare, high-velocity projectiles, and blast trauma demanded surgical innovation beyond the limits of pre-war practice. WWI produced tens of thousands of facially injured soldiers whose survival outpaced surgical capability. Sir Harold Gillies’ work at the Queen’s Hospital, Sidcup, established the world’s first dedicated plastic surgery centre and introduced foundational techniques including tubed pedicle flaps, staged reconstruction, and multidisciplinary care (Ferry, 2011). These innovations dramatically improved functional and aesthetic outcomes for maxillofacial trauma. The need to restore facial form and identity also reshaped surgical philosophy, distinguishing reconstructive aims from purely operative repair. The integration of dentistry, anaesthesia, and prosthetics within the reconstructive pathway fostered the team-based model now standard in plastic surgery. The psychological impact of facial disfigurement further refined the specialty’s focus on holistic rehabilitation. Importantly, Gillies’ later contributions during World War II built directly upon his WWI innovations, cementing plastic surgery as an essential medical discipline (McGrouther, 2009). WWI catalysed the birth of modern plastic surgery, transforming reconstructive techniques, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centred care. These wartime innovations remain embedded in the principles guiding contemporary reconstructive practice. Reference Ferry, J., 2011. The origins of plastic surgery in World War I. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 22(4), pp.1091–1094. McGrouther, D., 2009. Sir Harold Gillies: The founding father of modern plastic surgery. British Journal of Plastic Surgery, 62(6), pp.755–761.