W. Thomas Lawrence

Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Applicant Survey: Characteristics of Successful Applicants and Feedback about the Interview Process

Background: Integrated plastic surgery residency training is growing in popularity, bringing new challenges to program directors and applicants. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of successful applicants and to obtain feedback from applicants to improve the integrated plastic surgery residency training application and interview process. Methods: An anonymous survey assessing applicant academic qualifications, number of interviews offered and attended, and opinions about the application and interview process was distributed electronically to the 2006 integrated plastic surgery residency training applicant class. The number of interviews offered was used as an indicator of potential applicant success. Results: A 38 percent survey participation rate (139 of 367) was achieved. United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 score correlated with number of interview invitations (p ≤ 0.001). Successful Alpha Omega Alpha designation (p ≤ 0.001), high class rank (p = 0.034), presence of a plastic surgery residency program at the participant’s school (p = 0.026), and authorship of one or more publications (p ≤ 0.001) were associated with receiving greater number of interview invitations. Geographic location was an important consideration for applicants when applying to and ranking programs. Applicants desired interviews on weekdays and geographic coordination of interviews. Conclusions: Integrated plastic surgery residency training is highly competitive, with the number of interview invitations correlating with academic performance and, to a lesser extent, research. Applicant feedback from this survey can be used to improve the application and interview process.

Maximizing the aesthetic result in panniculectomy after massive weight loss.

Background: Plastic surgical consultation for abdominal contouring following massive weight loss is becoming increasingly prevalent, especially with the popularity of surgical weight loss procedures. The authors reviewed their experience with a novel panniculectomy technique that generally combines horizontal and vertical tissue excision to generate the best contour possible while providing effective relief of symptoms related to a dependent abdominal panniculus. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 100 consecutive patients who underwent panniculectomy using the authors’ technique over a 5-year period. Demographic and procedural data were collected, and outcome measures were analyzed. Results: Eighty-seven women and 13 men with an average weight loss of 133 lb underwent abdominal panniculectomy. A total of 37 ventral hernias were repaired concomitantly. Mean clinical follow-up was 16 months. Hospital length of stay averaged 4 days, and the most common complications were blood transfusion requirement (n = 39), fluid collections (n = 32), tissue necrosis requiring debridement (n = 18), and contour irregularities requiring revision (n = 15). Overall, 56 patients had a completely uncomplicated recovery. Greater amounts of tissue resection were associated with higher rates of transfusion (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The panniculectomy technique described can be performed safely and reproducibly. It yields an excellent abdominal contour and is effective in alleviating many symptoms of the dependent abdominal panniculus. It also provides exposure for improved evaluation and repair of concomitant ventral hernia defects.

The history of the Association of Academic Chairmen in Plastic Surgery: 1985 to 1990.

Background: Program directors in plastic surgery had met annually as a committee of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons since the early 1970s. In 1984, Dr. Ronald Berggren, then chairman of the committee, asked Dr. Elvin Zook to head a subcommittee charged with exploring the desirability and feasibility of a separate program director’s organization. The subcommittee enthusiastically supported the concept, leading to the founding of the Association of Academic Chairmen in Plastic Surgery. Methods: All available documents related to the development and functioning of the organization since 1985 were reviewed. Results: The early years of the Association of Academic Chairmen in Plastic Surgery led to the definition of the organization as one that provided significant input on key issues facing the plastic surgery community, such as the Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery. A variety of significant contributions grew out of the early years of the organization, including the plastic surgery match and the use of the central application process. In addition, the meetings provide updates for program directors to aid them in dealing with the ever-changing environment of graduate medical education. Conclusions: The Association of Academic Chairmen in Plastic Surgery grew out of a committee of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons into a vital organization that made significant contributions to plastic surgery resident education in its early years of existence.

The American Association of Plastic Surgeons Recent History, with a Review of the Past.

The American Association of Plastic Surgeons was founded in 1921 and is the oldest of the plastic surgery societies. It was born out of the enthusiasm of reconstructive surgeons who had recently increased in numbers and expanded the scope of their activities as a result of the challenges posed by battle-injured soldiers during World War I. Early meetings were small, focused exclusively on the head and neck, and often included live surgical demonstrations. The Association has grown in size and scope with time, but it has maintained its academic focus. This article focuses on the most recent 15 years of the Associations history, as prior publications have chronicled the history of the organization up to 2000. The organization has remained robust in the new millennium, with the national meetings being its most prominent activity. The format of the meetings has continually been improved to remain relevant and of interest to the membership and other attendees. The organization continues to support the development of young academic plastic surgeons through the Academic Scholars Program. It has established new programs such as the Constable Fellowship to support international exchange and has also sponsored two consensus conferences to help define standards of care in plastic surgery-related issues. The Association annually recognizes significant contributors to the field through the variety of awards that it bestows as well. The mission of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons is to provide scholarly leadership in plastic surgery, and the organization continues to successfully accomplish this mission.