Careers in Medicine: Specialty Information

Plastic Surgery

Nature of the work

A plastic surgeon deals with the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, head and facial structures, hand, extremities, breasts and trunk. A plastic surgeon uses aesthetic surgical principles not only to improve undesirable qualities of normal structures, but in all reconstructive procedures as well.

Plastic Surgeons can receive training in the following subspecialties:

• Craniofacial Surgery - reconstructive treatment of disorders of the soft and hard tissues of the face and cranial areas.
• Surgery of the Hand - expertise in the investigation, preservation, and restoration by medical, surgical and rehabilitative means, of all structures of the hand and wrist.

Training/residency information

Residency in plastic surgery consists of three to five years of training in general surgery followed by a two to three year residency in plastic surgery. Physicians who have completed residency in otolaryngology, orthopaedics, neurosurgery or urology can also apply for plastic surgery residencies. An Integrated Residency is also available with applicants applying to start immediately following graduation from medical school and receiving either five or six years of training under the leadership of the program director of plastic surgery. One year of additional training is required to practice in one of the subspecialties.

Workforce and salary information

The annual salary for plastic surgeons ranges from $185,250 to $453,000.

For more information

• American Board of Plastic Surgery
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Foundation for Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Source: The American Board of Medical Specialties, American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Faculty Salary Survey, 2004, Association of American Medical Colleges

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