Development of reconstructive blepharoplasty: the temporofacial rotation flap. Was it first conceived on the Spree, on the Seine, or on the Manzanares?

The development of reconstructive blepharoplasty in the 19th century is analyzed and the techniques classified according to their principles. Besides the main contributions of French, German, and Italian plastic surgeons, those made by two Spanish surgeons are summarized. Argumosa, who published an article on the tempororotation flap two years before Dieffenbach, and Hysern, who developed the first musculocutaneous transposition flaps for eyelid reconstruction, are usually omitted in the literature. After Dieffenbach's publication, German and French surgeons argued about who contributed to the development of plastic surgery in general and to blepharoplasty in particular, while in Spain controversies arose about the importance of Hysern's and Argumosa's contributions. The background and causes of these disputes are analyzed and compared with the present day dissemination and publication of new techniques.