WHY PLASTICS?
Plastic surgery as a specialty
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Overview
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Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty aimed at the restoration of form and function, which requires great appreciation of human anatomy, meticulous surgical technique and attention to detail
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Originates from Greek word "plastikos" or "plastikē" (there are conflicting statements), which means "to mould"
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Plastic surgery is not limited to an anatomical area
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High degree of misconception by general public as a specialty solely focused on aesthetic surgery, such as rhinoplasty, breast augmentation and abdominoplasty
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In reality, majority of plastic surgery involves reconstructive procedures for conditions arising from trauma, cancer or congenital abnormalities
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History of plastic surgery
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Sushruta lived between 1000 and 800 BC and is responsible for advancement of medicine in ancient India and is regarded as the "father of plastic surgery"
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Early contribution to nasal reconstruction using cheek flap from anatomical and surgical knowledge
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Modern plastic surgery
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Major Harold Gillies from New Zealand helped establish a centre devoted to facial reconstruction at the Queen Mary's Hospital in Kent during World War 1​ and is considered to be the "father of British plastic surgery"
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He was knighted in 1930
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In 1944, Gillies founded the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (BAPRAS)
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Subspecialty area​ include but are not limited to:
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Hand surgery​
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Burns managment
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Skin oncology
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Head and neck surgery
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Breast reconstruction
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Cleft lip and palate surgery
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Lower limb reconstruction
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Ear reconstruction
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Brachial plexus surgery
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Genitourinary reconstruction
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Chest wall or abdominal reconstruction
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Aesthetic surgery
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Academic plastic surgery
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Why choose Plastic Surgery?
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Advantages
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​Extremely rewarding, surgeons have the ability to transform people’s life
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Varied caseload, surgery is not limited to any one age group or anatomical site
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Collaborative work with other specialties
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Fast-moving and advanced, surgeons use the latest technology and techniques
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A range of sub-specialities so most surgeons can carve out a niche
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Opportunities to work all over the world
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Opportunity to generate separate income through private practice
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Disadvantages​
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​Very competitive, there may be other medical pathways that are easier to follow
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Limited funding, some trainees will need to pay for additional education courses themselves, which can be costly
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The road to specialty training
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Deciding on plastic surgery as a career choice is not easy
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Limited exposure in medical school​
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Limited opportunities for elective placements and taster rotations
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Distorted public perception as an aesthetic surgery specialty
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Preparation for ​specialty training interviews for many candidates begin as early as undergraduate years
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After completing medical degree, you will need to complete 2 years of Foundation Program training and at least 2 years of Core Surgical Training, or equivalent
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Alternate routes include Academic Foundation Program (AFP) and Academic Clinical Fellow in Specialty Training (ACFST)
Plastic Surgery specialty training
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6 years (ST3-8) of training within one of the 12 deaneries in the UK
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Accredited by the Joint Committee on Surgical Training which represents the 4 Royal Colleges of Surgeons
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Rotation around different units to gain a broad experience in various subspecialty areas
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Educational courses and teaching to enchance knowledge and skills
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Research opportunities including taking time out for higher academic degrees
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Conferences to present your work and network with trainees/ surgeons with similar interest
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Fellowship opportunities to work in plastic surgery units abroad
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Compulsory completion of exit examination - FRCS (Plast)
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Completion of training awards trainees with a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and registration into the GMC Specialist Register
Image from: GMC Plastic Surgery Curriculum