Pathways to Plastics
There are two formal training pathways for plastic surgery. Both require a prerequisite degree from the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or a certificate for foreign medical graduates from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
The first model is the Independent Pathway. In this pathway residents complete an ACGME accredited surgical residency outside of plastic surgery and are eligible to take boards within that field. Most commonly, applicants complete a general surgery residency, however, graduates from otolaryngology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, urology and oral and maxillofacial surgery (if an MD/DDS and with completion of at least two years of general surgery) may also apply. The Independent Pathway is three years in length. Graduates will be eligible for a second board certification in plastic surgery upon completion.
The second model is the Integrated Pathway. In this pathway a medical student will match directly into a plastic surgery residency program for six years (five years in a few accelerated programs). In this pathway the resident will have a primary focus on plastic surgery but will also have several ACGME required surgical rotations in general, vascular, surgical critical care and breast surgery to build a fundamental foundation. Graduates will be eligible for board certification in plastic surgery following completion of the program.
Additional fellowship training can be pursued in Hand/Peripheral Nerve, Microsurgery, Supermicrosurgery, Craniofacial Surgery, Gender, Burn and Aesthetics.
More information can be located with the following links: