The rise of European science during the Renaissance is greatly indebted to the flourishing of the sciences during the Islamic Golden Age. However, some believe that medieval Islamic physicians and in particular surgeons had been merely a medium for Greco-Roman ideas. Contrarily, in some medieval Islamic medical books, such as Al-Tasrif of Al-Zahrawi (936–1013), the surgical instructions represent a change in the usual techniques or are accompanied by a case history, implying that the procedure was actually undertaken. Along with the hundreds of chapters on different diseases and related medical and surgical treatments, Al-Tasrif includes a chapter on surgical techniques for gynecomastia. The present paper is a review of the description of the surgical management of gynecomastia by Al-Zahrawi as well as that of the ancient Greek, medieval, and modern medicine. Although Al-Zahrawi seemed to base his descriptions of surgery for gynecomastia upon those of Paulus of Aegina, his modification of the procedure and application of the medicinal substances might be indicative of Al-Zahrawi’s own practice of the procedure. Al-Zahrawi’s surgical procedures remained unchanged for many centuries thenceforward until the technological evolution in the recent centuries. 1. Introduction The rise of European science during the Renaissance is greatly indebted to the flourishing of the sciences during the Islamic Golden Age [1–3]. In the Eastern Caliphate of Baghdad, Muslim scholars translated and assimilated the Greek works, while adding their own commentaries [4]. Thereafter, thanks to their own perceptive observations, trials, and skills, renowned scholars such as Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi or Rhazes (865–925), Ali ibn al-Abbas al-Majusi or Haly Abbas (930–994), and Abu-Ali al-Husain ibn Abdollah ibn Sina or Avicenna (981–1037) remarkably contributed to the scientific treasure of this era [5]. Meanwhile, in the Western Caliphate of Córdoba, Muslim physicians and philosophers almost as brilliant as those of the East strongly promoted this scientific movement [6]. Studied and practiced medicine at Seville and Córdoba, Al-Zahrawi or Albucasis (936–1013), Ibn Zuhr or Avenzoar (1092–1162), and Ibn Rushd or Averro？s (1126–1198) were the most influential physicians of the western lands [7]. Nonetheless, some believe that medieval Islamic physicians had been merely a medium for Greco-Roman ideas. On the other hand, Abbasids' attempts to resurrect the conviction that the Greek medicine is in essence derived from Persian have persuaded some medical historians to repudiate the
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