Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Aesthetic Surgery Training through Post-bariatric Procedures in Plastic Surgery...

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Aesthetic surgery training is limited in plastic surgery residency due to lack of public funding.
• Post-bariatric body contouring offers a publicly funded training avenue due to technical similarities with aesthetic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess plastic surgery resident's perceived competence and autonomy in aesthetic surgery.
• To identify specific areas of confidence and deficiency in aesthetic surgical training.

Main Methods:

• Survey of recent plastic surgery residency graduates.
• Focus on experience with post-bariatric procedures: abdominoplasty, breast surgery, thigh dermolipectomy, brachioplasty, and liposuction.

Main Results:

• Residents felt confident in preoperative consultations and basic skills.
• Gaps identified in theoretical knowledge, technique comparison, and prosthesis use.
• Surgical autonomy varied by procedure, highest in abdominoplasty, lowest in inguinocrural dermolipectomy.

Conclusions:

• Plastic surgery residency training needs enhancement in aesthetic procedures, including commercial and medicolegal aspects.
• Improved curricula can better prepare surgeons for comprehensive aesthetic practice and patient care.
• The role of the assistant surgeon is critical for developing surgical autonomy.